German air navigation service provider DFS has issued a restriction on flights in northern Germany due to the volcanic ash cloud, with all takeoffs and landings at Hamburg and Bremen airports cancelled.

Flights at Bremen and Hamburg were cancelled from 05:00 and 06:00 respectively as ash concentrations in the area had exceeded permissible limits, said DFS. Berlin airport could be affected later on in the morning, it added. DFS warned that flights at Hanover airport could also be restricted.

Hamburg airport said there is currently "no forecast when the restriction will be lifted". Bremen airport's website showed cancellations of dozens of flights, while Berlin airport's website showed that flights are still operating.

Lufthansa said it has cancelled flights into and out of Hamburg and Bremen until 16:00 today, and warned that further cancellations might occur on flights into or out of Hanover.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news