Air travellers can face problems as volcanic ash returns ove UK airspace

Air travellers could face further problems on Tuesday as experts monitored the return of the volcanic ash cloud over UK airspace

The skies over parts of Scotland were closed as a precaution last night after an increased concentration of volcanic ash was detected in the atmosphere, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

The ash is forecast to exceed the safe level agreed by the CAA and airlines in the Outer Hebrides today, The Scotsman reports.

Airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations at 6 p.m. following advice from the Met Office.

The closures could see flights to and from the Western Isles cancelled, but the situation will be constantly reviewed. Passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling, The Scotsman reports.

The move came as flights in and out of Ireland, including Dublin, Cork and Belfast were grounded for six hours from 7 a.m. this morning as a dense plume travels across the island

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said the decision to ground aircraft was based on the safety risks to crews and passengers as a result of the drift south of the volcanic ash cloud caused by the north-easterly winds, The Scotsman reports.