All UK airports reopened on Tuesday 20 April.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis made the statement following consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and a reassessment of the risk to aircraft from volcanic ash.

Some restrictions remain in place and airlines are responsible for bringing flight schedules back on track.

• Read the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office [1] for British nationals returning to the UK

The Prime Minister said passenger safety would remain “paramount” and the CAA will continue to monitor the situation with tests both in the air and on the ground.

Two Royal Navy ships, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean, were deployed to the Channel to stand ready to assist with the relief effort and HMS Albion has returned to the UK from northern Spain with soldiers returning from serving in Afghanistan and 200 British civilians who were stranded in Spain.

The Foreign Office is continue to help and assist. This includes visiting airports, working with the local authorities to resolve visa problems and advising British nationals who have run out of funds.

Read more: PM statement on help for stranded British nationals (20 April 2010) [2]

National Air Traffic Service [opens in new window] [3]

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) [opens in new window] [4]

DirectGov – Volcanic ash – health and travel update [opens in new window] [5]