UPS has sent its first load of express shipments to Europe since the eruption of the Icelandic volcano.

The international courier usually send parcels to Germany to be processed, but as their Cologne hub is out of action due to the ash, they needed an alternative.

As a result, packages being delivered from America arrived in Spain, whereas parcels from Asia arrived in Istanbul. UPS trucks were waiting at the airports to dispense the items throughout the rest of Europe.

UPS spokesman Norman Black was keen to praise the company's drivers and sorters who have worked extra shifts and overtime to try and lessen the delay. As a result, most packages are only around a day behind schedule.