A flights to London resume operations

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pretoria - Flights from Johannesburg to London's Heathrow airport will resume operations this morning.

South African Airways (SAA) said SA3236 was due to depart Johannesburg at 10am and arrive on the same day in London Heathrow at 9pm (UK local time).

For returning passengers, SA3237 will depart London today at 11pm and arrive in Johannesburg on Wednesday at 9:50am.

Priority on this flight will be given to passengers who were affected the longest by the cancellation of flights, said SAA.

The flights shutdown was due to the cloud of volcano ash wreaking havoc on European airspace.

The operations however also come amid warnings that a new cloud of volcanic ash spreading from Iceland could be headed for Europe.

SAA also warned the situation could change at anytime.

"There is a second ash cloud that is threatening European air space so... although they [these flights] are confirmed, anything can happen."

European transport ministers have also agreed to ease restrictions on air travel across Europe. They have split the airspace into areas where airlines can fly safely. The move has brought relief to passengers stranded around the world.