News reports in the US (Sunday) predict that about 50% of scheduled flights in affected parts of Europe may be able to resume by "sometime Monday." While the reports don't give many specifics, it would be expected that the first flights will be those that can be (profitably) flown at lower altitudes where the dust is less dense.

The airlines have apparently been sending out "scout planes" to explore which routes are usable, and for the most part have reported "no problems" for the routes they've tested.

It remains for the regulatory agencies to lift the official ban before commercial carriers can legally fly in the ban areas, so politics still may govern when effective relief for the strandees can begin.

John