However, another band in the mid-Atlantic is still blocking air routes between Europe and North America. Eurocontrol says trans-Atlantic flights will have to be rerouted around it, causing delays. On Monday morning, all airports in Europe were reported to be operating normally.Eurocontrol says it expects approximately 28,500 flights to take place within European airspace -- slightly below average for this time of year. The ash cloud had led to the cancellation of some flights to Turkey in April. On Sunday, Turkish Airlines (THY) was unable to complete three of its flights, TK 1861 to Rome, TK 1865 to Bologna and TK 1874 to Milan, from İstanbul Atatürk Airport.
The State Meteorological Affairs General Directorate released a statement yesterday announcing that “we expect the country’s western parts to be lightly affected by the ash cloud from the morning hours until 3 a.m. on Tuesday at altitudes ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 feet.”
The statement also indicated that the ash cloud’s concentration would be low and that it would therefore not have an effect on flights in Turkey.
A volcanic eruption in Iceland released a huge ash cloud that persisted over Europe toward the end of April, leading to flight cancellations across the continent. Many flights originating from İstanbul and heading to European cities were cancelled as airports in Europe were closed until the clouds of volcanic ash had dissipated.
The Icelandic volcano is still erupting but is spewing less ash, Iceland’s meteorological office and experts say.
