VOLCANO MAYHEM HOPE AT LAST
Thousands of Brits stranded abroad by the volcanic cloud could see an end to the nightmare today - provided new ash eruptions don't dash their hopes.
Tests yesterday showed ash in British airspace is no longer high enough to threaten aircraft and the "contaminated" area was moving south over the UK.
But late last night the eruption in Iceland unexpectedly strengthened.
And Air traffic control company NATS said in a statement: "A new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK.
"Latest information from the Met Office shows the situation is worsening in some areas. The situation for Northern Irish airports for the morning is uncertain."
It added: "Scottish airports should be available from 7am and more airspace over England may become available from 1pm, although not as far south as the main London airports."
UNPRECEDENTED
Three Royal Navy ships have also been sent to rescue holidaymakers from France and Spain. And British Airways hoped to be resuming some flights to and from London from 7pm depending on the advice from NATS.
That means some of the estimated 150,000 Brits stranded abroad could finally start to make their way home.
But travel experts warned most airports would only operate a skeleton service and a "controlled re-opening" - with only those passengers whose flights are ready allowed in to the airports.
And it could be up to a fortnight before everything returns to normal.
British Airways said: "We are working on plans to help as many customers as possible unable to fly due to the unprecedented circumstances that have faced all airlines in Northern Europe.
"We aim to give customers as much notice as possible of flight plans."
As well as the air and sea rescue bid, thousands of passengers will continue to make their way back to Britain by rail.
Eurostar are making another 30,000 seats available from this morning at a special one-way price of £89 to help stranded tourists until Sunday.
Europe's transport ministers also hammered out a provisional deal last night on setting up three flight zones to ease the pressure on flights if the volcano in Iceland spews out more ash.
One EU diplomat said: "There seems to be consensus around creating new zones with a smaller no-fly zone near to the volcano."
A second zone would include safety restrictions and checks for aircraft, with a third zone open to all flights. But aviation experts last night began questioning whether a blanket five-day ban had been necessary.
Update from the Mirror:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/04/20/the-home-coming-115875-22198126/