Munich.  About half of all European flights are currently cancelled at Munich airport.  The volcano ash cloud from Iceland will reach Munich on Friday about 20.00.  During the day, at least 360 flights heading north (Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover, Münster, Osnabrück, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Cologne, Bonn, Leipzig, Halle) will be cancelled.  An airport spokesman said on Friday, that flights are still possible in the south direction.

It is up to the German air traffic control to decide if the airspace is to be closed. The ash particles are very dangerous for planes, because they hamper not only the view but interfere with the engines and paintwork. The engines can clog and fail when the small ash particles melt in the heat.