The EU is still not expecting widespread closure of airspace and the cancellation of hundreds of flights due to the eruption of another volcano in Iceland.

However, according to Commission Vice President Siim Kallas, the situation is evolving hour by hour and the EU is monitoring closely the situation.

Addressing a press conference in Brussels among speculation that the ash cloud will soon reach the UK, France and Germany, Commissioner Kallas said: "The commission is still not anticipating blanket and prolonged airspace closures like last year."

He warned, however, that the weather might play an important part.

"We obviously do not have any control over weather patterns and things might change. Our assessment so far is that there will not be any closures similar to last year but we are on the alert. It will be a difficult week for passengers and airline companies," he warned.

Commissioner Kallas said that until noon, a total of 252 flights were cancelled, primarily those arriving and departing from Scotland.

He said that following last year's disruption, the EU is much more prepared than last year and is following a strict pattern of new rules even when to determine whether a particular airspace is to be declared unsafe for flying.

The Grimsvotn volcano began erupting late on Saturday.

The main airport in Iceland has already been close yesterday due to the ash cloud while Scotland has now also closed its airspace.