Huge airlift to begin as restrictions eased

The Civil Aviation Authority said last night that no-fly zones remained but the Met Office had advised that those did not currently cover Britain.

It warned airlines would have to carry out their own test flights and ash tests before resuming services. Restrictions remain in place in some European countries.

While Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said all British airports could reopen and he expected them to remain open, airports are urging passengers to contact airlines before they travel. British Airways' chief executive Willie Walsh said he was "delighted" at the move.

"On behalf of the tens of thousands of customers stranded around the globe, we are delighted the authorities have paid heed to the arguments we and the industry have put forward.

"We are now going to start the difficult task of getting our stranded customers home."

The first flights to leave Yorkshire took off from Leeds Bradford Aitport just after 7am today, to Spain and Portugal. However, many other flights, including some to Italy, France and the Netherlands, were cancelled.

Incoming flights to Leeds were also cancelled this morning, as were many flights to and from Doncaster.

Government efforts continued yesterday to bring home an estimated 150,000 Britons stranded by the airspace closure.

Royal Navy assault ship HMS Albion sailed to Santander, in northern Spain, to pick up 280 holidaymakers as well as 450 troops. Some 150 coaches have also been dispatched to Spain.

In a statement the CAA said last night: "The major barrier to resuming flight has been understanding tolerance levels of aircraft to ash.

"Manufacturers have now agreed increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas."