AVIATION/ FLIGHTS CANCELED AS ASH CLOUD MOVES OVER EUROPE

Thousands of passengers in Europe have had their flights cancelled today because of drifting ash from the Icelandic volcano. The move came after residents in Scotland awoke today to find their cars covered in volcanic ash. The ash is expected to spread thru the UK today. Airports In the UK affected include Londonderry, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle and Carlisle. Air traffic management body Eurocontrol said around 500 flights were cancelled across Europe on Tuesday. The UK air traffic control service Nats said the ash cloud would continue to affect flights from some Airports in Scotland and northern England thru early tomorrow morning. But forecasters said changing wind patterns made it hard to predict its exact path and concentrations would vary between regions. In Germany, officials warned of the possible closure of Northern Airports tomorrow, such as Hamburg and Berlin, if the ash cloud worsens and moves into the country. Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, and Russia are also reporting cancelations today. Icelandic volcano Grimsvotn began erupting this past weekend, sending ash plumes as high as 50000 feet into the sky. ICELANDIC AIRLINES, which had been grounded, was able to return to the skies last evening, when most of Icelandic airspace re-opened.