Austria reopens airspace after volcanic ash forced its closure but many flights still canceled
By APMonday, April 19, 2010
Austria reopens airspace, many flights canceled
VIENNA — Austrian authorities have reopened the country’s airspace after volcanic ash forced its closure.
The Austria Press Agency reports that permission to resume takeoffs and landings took effect at 5 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) Monday but says it is unclear if the airspace will remain open all day.
Airport Web sites indicate that many flights remain canceled.
Austro Control, the country’s national aviation authority, first imposed a flight ban on Friday as a cloud of ash spewed by an Icelandic volcano moved eastward and caused chaos for travelers across much of Europe.
The European Union said Sunday if weather forecasts confirm the skies over Europe are clearing, air traffic over the continent could return to about 50 percent of normal levels on Monday.
