Further flight disruption due to the ash cloud from the Grimsvötn volcano in Iceland eruption is “unlikely” based on latest forecasts.
The Department for Transport advised that the Icelandic volcano has “currently paused its eruptions and Met Office modelling indicates that significant disruption between now and the end of the weekend is unlikely”.
The statement was made following days of flight delays and cancellations affecting thousands of passengers particularly to and from Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.
EasyJet said it met with the Civil Aviation Authority and the DfT to present its own independent data on actual ash concentration in Scottish airspace on Tuesday which has been developed with industry experts in the year since the last Icelandic volcanic disruption.
Both British Airways and Ryanair also conducted test flights, the results of which questioned the closure of airspace earlier this week due to the ash cloud.
“We are pleased to advise that based on the current volcanic activity that further disruption to our flying programme is unlikely,” EasyJet said.
The National Air Traffic Service (NATS) said it was monitoring the impact of the volcanic eruption on UK airspace and said: “There is currently no impact from volcanic ash on UK airspace.”
About 450 flights were cancelled in German airspace yesterday as the ash cloud drifted over the country, affecting services from Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg airports.
Lufthansa expects to operate a normal schedule today together with British Airways, Ryanair and other carriers.