Britain's skies have reopened after flying restrictions over the UK were eased.
Airlines rushed to reorganise schedules after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) eased the rules, allowing a phased reopening of airspace from 10pm.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said all British airports could reopen and he expected them to remain open.
Willie Walsh, British Airways' chief executive, said he was "delighted" at the move.
"On behalf of the tens of thousands of customers stranded around the globe, we are delighted the authorities have paid heed to the arguments we and the industry have put forward," he said.
"We are now going to start the difficult task of getting our stranded customers home.
"This is an airlift which has been unprecedented."
A spokesman for BAA, which operates airports including Heathrow, said: "We are ready to open, but until further notice passengers must contact their airline before travelling to the airport," the spokesman said.
"Not all flights will operate during the early period of opening, and we will do everything we can to support airlines and get people moving."
Lord Adonis said there was now a "better" understanding of the effect of volcanic ash on aircraft.
