Asia Pacific airlines plan to start resuming flights today to Europe, after authorities gave the go-ahead for the gradual re-opening of airspace.

Carriers say they will reinstate some to all services from today, along with extra flights to clear backlogs of passengers that have been stranded since the volcanic ash cloud shut down most European airspace.

Among the airlines that will resume flights from today are Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways, Korean Air and Air New Zealand.

But other carriers such as Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways say flights to London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam remain cancelled. Other flights, such as Cathay's services to Rome and Milan, have been delayed.

Some airlines, like JAL and Thai Airways International, plan to operate additional flights to cities like Milan, Rome and Madrid to help stranded passengers get to Europe.

European authorities eased restrictions on the continent's airspace from yesterday, while the UK Civil Aviation Authority allowed airspace to gradually re-open from last night.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news