It was good news for stranded travellers today as the first flights from Europe arrived back in Brisbane.

Flight bans were lifted overnight as the ash cloud from Iceland’s volcano continues to clear giving passengers and airlines a chance to breathe a sigh of relief.

Amy Stewart reports.

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Families eagerly awaited the arrival of stranded loved ones.

As connecting flights touched down, it was hugs and kisses all round.

These travellers were some of the lucky ones.

Elena Marchetti, traveller: “Look for me it was probably fine because I was, you know, in a good hotel and I know work insurance will probably pay.”

Sharron Dunoon, traveller: “We just went on our normal flight and we were fine.”

But for some, the dark cloud from the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano has cost them more than time and money.

This acting hopeful never made it to London, instead he was stuck in Abu Dhabi.

Jason McKell, traveller: “…was sort of about fifteen interviews and auditions that I had lined up over there and they’re all just gone.”

Over the coming days, it’s expected more passengers stranded by the volcanic ash cloud will arrive back here in Brisbane as the backlog from European hubs starts to clear.

QANTAS says they’re back to normal this afternoon, with all scheduled flights to Europe definitely going ahead.

And the airline has a big job ahead of them, having to move up to fifteen thousand stranded passengers.

Amy Stewart, QUT News