500 flights cancelled Tuesday due to volcano: Eurocontrol

BRUSSELS: Around 500 flights were cancelled on Tuesday after an ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano blew over northern parts of Britain, European air traffic controllers said.

The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) found areas of high ash concentration over northern parts of Britain, according to Eurocontrol.

‘As a result, approximately 500 flights were cancelled from the approximately 29,000 that would have been expected today across Europe,’ the Brussels-based agency said in an update on the air traffic situation.

There is a ‘strong possibility’ that the ash cloud may impact parts of Denmark, southern Norway and southwest Sweden by Wednesday, Eurocontrol said, citing the VAAC.

‘This would have some impact on flights. However, given the new procedures in place and the predicted movement of the ash cloud over the coming days, the actual impact on flights is expected to be relatively low.’

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011