Flights resume as restrictions lifted

FLIGHTS will resume at North West airports today after the volcanic ash-related flight restrictions were lifted across the country last night.

Manchester Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) and Blackpool Airport are all open but they are advising travellers to check with their airlines and tour operators before leaving home.

JLA said it was hoping to resume flights today and some flights will depart from Blackpool.

A spokesperson for Manchester said: “Flights can begin to operate from Manchester Airport  as soon as our airlines are ready although this could take several hours of organisation.

“It is absolutely essential that people continue to contact their airline before travelling to the airport for any flight because schedules will take some time to return to normal.”

Since restrictions were imposed on Thursday more than 700 flights have been cancelled in Liverpool and over 2,025 in Manchester affecting at least 200,000 passengers. The estimated cost to the regional economy has been at least £60m.

But passengers have been warned of more delays because of the backlog and planes not being in the right place.