He was speaking after talks with Eurocontrol, which co-ordinates air traffic control in 38 nations.

BBC: EU emergency talks called on volcanic ash air chaos

For now, keep your travel plans, but check for updates on Eurocontrol.

FORBES: Another Volcano to Shut Down European Airspace? - UPDATE

The European air safety body, Eurocontrol, said the cloud of ash had reached 55, 000ft and was expected to move through northern UK and Scotland.

BBC: Icelandic volcanic ash alert grounds UK flights

The European air traffic agency Eurocontrol said the ensuing chaos was worse on Friday than the previous day, and warned of "significant disruption" to air traffic on Saturday.

BBC: Volcanic ash: Flight chaos to continue into weekend

The European Union's transport commissioner, Siim Kallas, promised greater co-ordination between the 38 member states of Eurocontrol, the body supposed to integrate air navigation services across Europe, and a more dynamic approach to risk assessment.

ECONOMIST: The effect on business and leisure

Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management organization, sees no impact on the European mainland for now, but shifting winds may carry the ash cloud to parts of Scotland and Ireland within the next 24 hours.

FORBES: Another Volcano to Shut Down European Airspace? - UPDATE

But Brian Flynn, deputy head of operations for Eurocontrol, told the BBC that while half of the European landmass could be clear of ash cloud, that did not mean half of the flights could go ahead.

BBC: EU emergency talks called on volcanic ash air chaos

Past incidents of aircraft trying to fly through volcanic ash clouds and suffering damage and engine failure led European officials to shut their air spaces rather than risk a catastrophe, said Joe Sultana, an official at Eurocontrol, the intergovernmental body that manages European air travel.

CNN: Air travel paralyzed as volcanic ash cloud lingers