Airports in Scotland and northern parts of England have been able to reopen today (20 April) after restrictions imposed last week as a result of a volcanic ash cloud were lifted.

The National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has confirmed that part of Scotland's airspace, which includes Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh, will remain open until 7pm. However, Glasgow Airport has confirmed that it will close at 1pm.

Newcastle Airport will also be able to remain open ntil 7pm, but restrictions will remain in force for the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft (6,096m) as fears are raised that a new ash cloud is set to drift south from Iceland from Eyjafjallajoekull.

In a statement, a NATS spokesperson said: " The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation today will continue to be variable.

"Overnight, the Civil Aviation Authority - in line with new guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation - decided flights above the ash cloud will be permitted in the UK; between 1300-1900 this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace."

Air travel across Europe has been affected by the ash cloud drifting south from Iceland over the past five days, with the Royal Navy now involved with efforts to repatriate UK tourists stranded abroad.

Airlines have also called for an urgent review into the restrictions that were imposed, with a number of countries shutting airspace as a result of the ash cloud and the threat it posed to air travel.

BAA has revealed that it expects to lose around £5-6m each day at all of its UK airports as a result of ongoing airspace closures.