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Passengers stuck abroad because of the flight ban, imposed when a cloud of volcanic ash swept across the UK, have started to arrive back in England.The restrictions were lifted from 2200 BST on Tuesday and a number of flights have landed at English airports.
However, delays and cancellations are expected while airlines get back to running a normal service.
The ban was introduced on Thursday when a volcano in Iceland erupted, causing a cloud of ash to cover the UK.
Experts feared tiny particles of rock, sand and glass in the ash cloud could damage plane engines.
Earlier, the air traffic control body Nats had extended the flight ban until 0100 BST on Wednesday.
But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed a phased reopening of airports late on Tuesday.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said all airports could open again and he expected them to remain so.
A number of flights arrived back in England on Wednesday morning, carrying hundreds of relieved passengers.
A-level student Liz Ross, 18, from Surrey, arrived at Newcastle Airport from Canada with her 17-year-old sister Kate.
She said: "I'm really worried about having missed school this week, with exams coming up every school day is precious.
"It's been a bit of a nightmare, really.
"I've heard that some of the teachers have also missed school because they have not been able to get back either."
A spokeswoman for Birmingham International Airport said it was now fully open but was continuing to experience disruptions, including 70 cancellations.
She said: "The advice for passengers who are expecting to travel today is to check with their airline. I cannot stress that strongly enough."
London City Airport said it had started to receive inbound flights but there were a "significant number of cancellations".
The lifting of the flight ban was welcomed by airlines, which now face the task of getting stranded passengers to their destinations and returning to a normal schedule.
It has been estimated up to 150,000 Britons have been stranded abroad because of the closure of UK airspace.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office 24-hour consular helpline has been set up on 020 7008 0000 for people stuck abroad.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
However, delays and cancellations are expected while airlines get back to running a normal service.
The ban was introduced on Thursday when a volcano in Iceland erupted, causing a cloud of ash to cover the UK.
Experts feared tiny particles of rock, sand and glass in the ash cloud could damage plane engines.
Earlier, the air traffic control body Nats had extended the flight ban until 0100 BST on Wednesday.
But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed a phased reopening of airports late on Tuesday.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said all airports could open again and he expected them to remain so.
A number of flights arrived back in England on Wednesday morning, carrying hundreds of relieved passengers.
A-level student Liz Ross, 18, from Surrey, arrived at Newcastle Airport from Canada with her 17-year-old sister Kate.
She said: "I'm really worried about having missed school this week, with exams coming up every school day is precious.
"It's been a bit of a nightmare, really.
"I've heard that some of the teachers have also missed school because they have not been able to get back either."
A spokeswoman for Birmingham International Airport said it was now fully open but was continuing to experience disruptions, including 70 cancellations.
She said: "The advice for passengers who are expecting to travel today is to check with their airline. I cannot stress that strongly enough."
London City Airport said it had started to receive inbound flights but there were a "significant number of cancellations".
The lifting of the flight ban was welcomed by airlines, which now face the task of getting stranded passengers to their destinations and returning to a normal schedule.
It has been estimated up to 150,000 Britons have been stranded abroad because of the closure of UK airspace.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office 24-hour consular helpline has been set up on 020 7008 0000 for people stuck abroad.This article is from the BBC News website. ? British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.