The airspace over all of Norway is now open, except to the offshore installations in the North Sea
19-Apr-2010 The airspace over Norway is generally open to air traffic. After having been partly closed earlier today, the airspace in all of Finnmark is now open.
Offshore traffic to and from Ekofisk has been suspended. Other flights to the offshore installations are limited and will be suspended later in the evening.
The forecasts indicate that most of Norwegian airspace is now outside of the cloud of volcanic ash.
There will continue to be restrictions on the type of traffic permitted to operate in the portions of the airspace that is now open, with air ambulance flights given priority. In other words, the airspace is not open to operation of all routes.
Passengers need to contact their airline or travel agency for further information regarding their particular flight. SAS also requests that travellers use the airline's website or Facebook profile when seeking information.
The situation is being evaluated continuously on the basis of data from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London (Met Office), which compiles dispersal maps and forecasts for the dispersal of volcanic ash. The forecasts are issued every six hours. They form the basis for decisions in all countries in Europe regarding the portions of their airspace to be closed to aviation.
A new report with an update on the airspace over Norway will be issued at approximately 9:00 AM on Tuesday, 20 April.
The airspace over all of Norway was closed from 10:00 AM, Thursday, 15 April, on account of the cloud of ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Questions concerning air ambulance transport will be dealt with by health authorities and the Civil Aviation Authority - Norway.