UK airspace has opened after a six-day ban on flights

The flight restrictions were lifted at 10pm on Tuesday evening after a six-day ban on all flights because of volcanic ash. Over 95,000 flights were cancelled across Europe in total. The International Air Transport Associated estimated airlines had lost around £1.1 billion as a result of the disruption.

The restrictions were lifted after the Civil Aviation Authority said safety tests showed plane engines had “increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas”. A number of flights have now landed at English airports.

It could take weeks to return to normal flight schedules as further delays and cancellations occur because of planes and crew being in the wrong place.

The flight ban came into place on Thursday after the Icelandic volcano erupted, causing a cloud of ash to cover the UK. Experts feared tiny particles of rock, sand and glass in the ash cloud could damage plane engines.

Around 75 per cent of European flights are due to operate on Wednesday, according to air traffic agency Eurocontrol.

The decision to close UK airspace and the government’s response has been critisised by some, who accuse the government of overreacting to the situation.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended the time taken to reopen UK airspace, saying decisions had been based on “scientific advice”.

“We would never be forgiven if we had let planes fly and there was a real danger to people’s lives,” he said.

Tens of thousands of Britons are still stranded abroad. Anyone concerned about the safety of a British national who is still stranded, can call the Foreign Office helpline on 020 7008 0000.