Britain extends air curbs but eases transatlantic ban

LONDON: Britain has extended a ban on most flights until 7:00 am (0600 GMT) Saturday but eased restrictions in the north to allow some transatlantic flights to resume within hours, air authorities said Friday.

Flights across the North Atlantic could resume into Scotland and Northern Ireland from Friday evening, said the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which manages British airspace.

"The cloud of volcanic ash continues to move south through the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues," it said in its latest update on flight restrictions.

Previously flights were restricted until 0000 GMT, but this was extended to at least 0600 GMT on Saturday, while "restrictions will be lifted in a large part of Scottish airspace... and also Northern Ireland" from 1800 GMT Friday.

"On this basis, North Atlantic traffic can also operate to/from points in this airspace. Please note these arrangements do not mean that all flights will operate," it said, urging travellers to contact their airlines.

The volcanic ash has spread across northern Europe, cancelling thousands of flights and closing airspace in a number of countries including Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.