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Flights resume in Scotland - Gatwick and Heathrow still shut

Rumblings of more ash ahead

Flights from some Scottish airports are flying to Stornoway this morning but there are fears that more eruptions from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano could mean even more delays for stranded passengers.

The latest from the Met office suggests that although eruptions continue they are weaker than they were over the weekend.

But some observers suggested that the majority of the ice in the caldera at the top of the volcano has now melted. It was lava hitting ice which helped create the huge quantity of ash and particles - so further eruptions could cause less disruption than those last week.

Others have criticised the Met Office's over-reliance on computer models, rather than test flights and real world observations, for shutting UK airspace.

BA is not so sure and has cancelled all short-haul flights again for today. The company hopes to get some long-haul flights back in the air after 4pm today, subject to the full reopening of UK airspace.

Belfast Airport hopes to have a flight to Scotland later this morning. Passengers are advised to check with airlines before setting out for the airport. Manchester Airport will not be opening before early evening at best.

London airports are unlikely to reopen today. But flights will be allowed over the UK, above 20, 000 feet, between 1pm and 7pm. There will be a further update at 3pm.

Analysis from Rolls Royce of BA's Sunday test flight from Heathrow to Cardiff found no degradation to engines. The four engines were monitored in real time from the ground as the 747 flew up to 40,000 feet, Flight International reports.

There is a Google map of UK ash observation posts here, satellite images here, and a live webcam of the volcano itself here.

NATS updates are here. ®

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