FLIGHTS over 20,000ft will be allowed into the UK from 7pm, it has been announced.

The period for planes flying above the ash cloud in UK airspace will last until 1am tomorrow, Nats said today.

A blanket ban on flights below 20,000ft is still in place.

A part of Scottish and Northern Irish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be open between 7pm today to 1am tomorrow, as well as Newcastle Airport.

After days without any flights due to volcanic ash, Nats announced UK airspace would finally open above 20,000ft between 1pm and 7pm earlier today.

The news came after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced flights above the ash cloud would be permitted in the UK within the set time frame.

Nats 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.

“We will continue to monitor Met Office information and the situation is likely to change during the course of the day.”

Further news is expected at 9pm.