Thomson Airways will not operate any outbound flights until Thursday and is asking customers not to go to airports despite hopes that most airspace restrictions will be lifted on Tuesday.

The Tui-owned airline expects to start repatriation flights on Tuesday, but it has cancelled all out going flights until Thursday because its “absolute priority” is getting passengers back to the UK.

It estimates the repatriation operation could take 48 hours so is asking all customers with flights booked on Tuesday and Wednesday not to go to their departure airport.

Other carriers asked customers not to go to the airport without first confirming with the airline that their flight would operate.

Virgin Atlantic plans to operate several flights on Tuesday but said until those were confirmed customers should not go to their airport.

Air Operators Association chairman Ed Anderson said: “UK flights will remain disrupted as UK airspace reopens. It is essential that passengers do not travel to an airport before contacting their airline for the latest information on flights.”