Things are happening fast and changing but this is the latest from the FCO

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Terrorism/Security and Local Travel sections (violence in Bangkok). The overall level of the advice has changed; we currently advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok; against all travel to some specific areas of Thailand and all but essential travel to other specific areas of Thailand.

All UK airports can reopen from 2200 BST on Tuesday, the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said.

He added that after the ban was lifted it would be up to airlines to bring flight schedules back on track.

The statement was delivered after consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority and a reassessment of the risk to aircraft from volcanic ash.

Some restrictions will remain in place, but they will be much smaller than those enforced under the current ban.

Dame Deirdre Hutton, of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said there had been detailed consultation with experts to reassess the tolerance of planes to the ash cloud.

There is no change to the advice issued at 2pm today.

UK authorities advise that current UK / Europe airspace restrictions will remain in place until at least midnight tonight Tuesday 20 April (NZ time).

The situation is highly changeable with reports of increased volcanic activity potentially causing further disruption.

As a result, Air New Zealand continues to strongly advise passengers with travel plans to affected parts of the UK and Europe to NOT commence their travel today. This applies to any Air New Zealand service and any connecting flight on another carrier to affected parts of UK / Europe.

We have announced today that we will resume our services between Europe and Australia and Asia and Europe on Wednesday 21 April (local times)

Scheduled services between Australia and Europe via Asia will recommence tomorrow Thursday 22 April.

Qantas is working with the relevant airport authorities to gain the appropriate clearances to operate supplementary flights between Australia and Europe.

Qantas has made further changes to its scheduled services.

Image via BBC news

We are constantly monitoring the Ash cloud situation and will update this page as necessary. The following procedures have been put in place to assist passengers who have travel plans booked for the next few days. However the sitution is very fluid and changing on an hourly basis. Below is a general summary of the airlines change policies, although all airlines vary most are allowing free date changes. This is an unprecedented situation and we do ask you to bear with us - but this is where we are posting the latest airspace news here

Air New Zealand have streamlined their baggage allowances so there’s one easy-to-remember allowance on all their long haul flights; Basically they will start charging for more than one checked in bag - this will affect quite a few RTW flight deals - so ask your consultants for details. Worth pointing out that  fuel surcharges haven't increased on Air NZ recently (although fuel has) and they are one of the few airlines that still allow surfboards. They are also a pretty darn comfortable airline to fly. Still they were one of the last airlines that still embraced the old "piece system" for flying via the Americas, and we think it's all a wee bit sad.

Following advice from the Met Office, the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has introduced restrictions to UK airspace this morning as a result of volcanic ash drifting across the UK from Iceland. These measures currently affect almost all airports. Passengers intending to fly today must contact their airline for further information and should expect disruption in the coming hours. 

If you are a British national, and travelling abroad, or planning to do so, especially to Thailand should use the FCOs LOCATE service. The FCO are encouraging all British nationals travelling and living abroad to register with LOCATE, even for short trips.

Updated 4 flights within Australia deal from £1076; UK Tokyo Sydney Uluru Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Hong Kong UK

http://bit.ly/df1PSg

Hmmm. So if you fly the same route, albeit with different airlines, then the Star RTW is now £1700 more than the Columbus RTW for most of the year....eg In May the Star RTW is £3499 vs Columbus RTW at £1599 ie UK Jo'burg Hanoi surface Bangkok OZ NZ Cooks USA UK . More details here