The closure of United Kingdom airspace to all flights will remain in force until at least 1pm today (Friday). 

Last night, National Air Traffic Services put back the earliest time they could resume by six hours, from a previous estimate of 7am.

Manx airspace has been closed up to a 12-mile limit.

The unprecedented action, which is affecting thousands of air passengers all over Europe, is because of huge quantities of ash, high in the atmosphere, following a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

The ash can seriously affect the performance aircraft engines.

All flights to and from the Isle of Man have been cancelled until further notice, but authorities at Ronaldsway say extreme emergency cases will be considered on merit.

Meanwhile, there are no restrictions on air ambulances to and from UK airports, but it's up the pilots whether or not they fly.