The ash is back to wreak further flight chaos

The volcanic ash cloud is back, forcing parts of airspace over Britain and Northern Ireland to close today.

The ash from the Icelandic volcano wreaked havoc on air travel and passengers were left stranded trying to leave, and to return, to Northern Europe last month.

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had imposed no-fly zones over parts of Scotland and will close Northern Irish airspace from 0600 GMT on Tuesday due to rising levels of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

"Because ash concentrations exceed the levels agreed as safe by engine manufacturers, airspace over the Outer Hebrides was closed to all operations from 1800 ...(1700 GMT on Monday) following Met Office (weather service) advice," the CAA said on its website.

"Following the latest update from the Met Office, airspace over Northern Ireland will also be closed from 0700 local time...(0600 GMT on Tuesday).”

However, overflights of Ireland from the United Kingdom and Europe will not be affected and flights in mainland Europe will operate normally.

The CAA and IAA added they would review the situation following weather reports throughout the day.