ASH UPDATE - EasyJet/Bmi/Flybe re-starting flights

EasyJet plans to operate 900 flights or 86% of its network today following the re-opening of airspace across the UK and Europe.

The budget airline said it hopes to carry more than 140.000 passengers in an effort to repatriate as many travellers as soon as possible.

Services resumed across the UK and Continental Europe from this morning, with the first European flight leaving Geneva for Amsterdam at 04:17 (local time) and the first UK flight leaving London Gatwick for Malaga at 05:30.

Passengers were advised to check the www.easyjet.com website under ‘latest travel information’ for details on their specific flight.

But the airline warned: "Due to the extent of the disruption, it will take several days to resume normal operations and delays are likely."

Bmi re-started flights from 09.00 today after UK airspace restrictions were lifted last night.

Bmi plans to operate flights between Heathrow and all its UK and Ireland destinations (Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester).

But a reduced schedule will operate today while additional aircraft are sent to international destinations to rescue stranded passengers.

Bmi Regional plans to run services between Edinburgh-Aberdeen, Brussels, Copenhagen, Leeds/Bradford and Manchester; as well as services between Aberdeen-Birmingham, Manchester and Norwich; and Brussels-East Midlands and Leeds Bradford; and Glasgow-Leeds.

Internationally Bmi plans to operate flights between Heathrow and Addis Ababa, Amman, Baku, Beirut, Berlin, Cairo, Damascus, Freetown, Hannover, Jeddah, Moscow, Riyadh, Tbilisi, Tehran, Vienna and Yerevan.

While some flights will operate outside the usual schedule, bmi hopes to operate 75% of its international flights to normal schedule.

"Safety is, and continues to be, bmi’s number one priority and the planned schedule for Wednesday may be subject to change throughout the day so customers are advised to check their individual flight status on our website, www.flybmi.com, before leaving for the airport," the airline said.

Flybe cancelled all services up until 13.00 today and warned of further cancellations after 13.00.

A spokesman for airports operator BAA said: "Heathrow is open. However, as the airport returns to normal, it is imperative that passengers contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

"Not all flights will operate during the early period of opening. We will be doing everything we can to support airlines and get people moving and appreciate the continued patience of passengers."

by Phil Davies