Bournemouth Airport continued to operate as normal on Tuesday despite the volcanic ash cloud affecting some flights in Scotland.

Bournemouth Airport said they were running as normal and they did not expect that to change for the “foreseeable future”.

Sally Windsor, spokesperson for Bournemouth Airport said: “This is because since April 2010, the aviation industry has learnt enough about the effect of volcanic ash on aircraft to allow the majority of flights to operate safely.

“The CAA will work with the Met Office to advise airlines and airports precisely where ash is present in the atmosphere and at what density.

“Airlines will then use this information and test results from the manufacturers of aircraft engines to plan and operate flights safely”, she added.

Transport secretary Philip Hammond said: “This is the largest volcanic eruption in Iceland for at least 50 years. It is inevitable that a major event like this will cause some disruption.

“We are in a much better place this year because we have worked with airlines and regulators to build a regime that puts safety first, but with far more flexibility. We will not be imposing a blanket ban like the last government.

“Instead it is up to airlines to decide whether it is safe to fly in discussions with the CAA.”

Ryanair claimed the red zone in Scotland – from Glasgow Prestwick to Inverness - was “non-existent, mythical and a misguided invention by the UK Met Office and CAA.”

The low-cost airline, which flies from Bournemouth, carried out a one-hour flight 41,000ft over Scotland yesterday morning in the so-called red zone, and said there was no visible cloud or presence of ash in post-flight inspections.

Southampton Airport was operating the majority of their flights with some cancellations.