Grimsvotn eruption dying out but ash still persists over Europe

Northern Europe which suffered a setback due air traffic disruption from Icelandic volcanic ash on Wednesday was provided with hope when experts said the eruption was rapidly dying down, a report said.

The ash from the Grimsvotn volcano has caused fewer problems than last year, when more than 10 million people suffered a six-day airspace shutdown in Europe after another Icelandic volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, erupted.

Scotland was hit hard when 500 flights were cancelled all over Europe out of the expected 29,000 that were scheduled to fly across the continent on Tuesday. Ryanair airline once again criticized the system and IATA (International Air Transport Association) asked for more coordination.

Iceland President Olafur Grimsson, in a report, said the volcano is dying down and the ash clouds were diminishing.

Eurocontrol, the European organization looking into the safety of air navigation, said on Wednesday the ash clouds may still affect southern Norway, Southwest Sweden and parts of Denmark and flights will be coordinated accordingly.

Air traffic in Scotland and northern England was the main victim of volcanic ash on Monday. British air traffic board NATS (National Air Traffic Services) assured no ash was expected over Britain on Wednesday.

Among those affected were US President Barrack Obama, who left for Britain late on Monday and ahead of schedule.

The Barcelona soccer team also flew to London early for Saturday's Champions League final against Manchester United.

The volcano, Grimsvotn, erupted on Saturday and smoke reached as high as 20 km. The eruption has been the most powerful since 1873 and stronger than Eyjafjallajökull which caused havoc last year.