Airlines and passengers are braced for a slow return to normality after British airspace reopened.

A "phased" resumption of flights to and from the UK is on the cards as operators set about working on contingency plans to get back to business while complying with conditions imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Experts warn the travel industry faces a "huge logistical operation" as hundreds of thousands of Britons were displaced around the world amid the chaos caused by the volcanic ash.

Airlines and tour operators will have to deal with a huge backlog of customers and the added headache of planes and crew not being in the right place. And with conditions changing rapidly there is no guarantee the decision to allow planes to fly will be permanent.

Stranded holidaymakers attempted to make their own way back via Channel ports, while coaches and cruise liners collected some people from Europe.

For those still waiting, the lifting of flight restrictions will not necessarily herald good news straight away, according to travel industry representatives.

Frances Tuke, spokeswoman for travel organisation Abta, said: "We don't know whether this is going to be a temporary situation or a permanent one. We don't know what is going to happen with the eruption so there is that to consider."

Airlines were meanwhile assessing how to restore order to their flight schedules and making plans to ensure they complied with requirements set down by the CAA.

These include conducting risk assessments and developing operational procedures to address any remaining risks and inspecting aircraft for ash damage before and after each flight.

Virgin Atlantic, for example, said flights would not run until all conditions could be met.