Emirates and Etihad Airways, the national airlines of the UAE, operated as per the schedule on Thursday as the level of volcanic ash produced by the Grimsvotn volcano in Iceland reduced. However, the airlines will continue to monitor the situation closely. According to a statement issued by the Emirates, all Emirates flights to and from the UK and Europe operated as per the schedule on Thursday.Etihad Airways flights to and from the UK and Europe operated as normal, with the airline still monitoring the situation in relation to the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

The airline was in close liaison with aviation experts, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Rolls Royce and General Electric and was assured that the airspace in the areas where it operates was open and safe to fly.Etihad will continue to monitor the situation in association with the European and UK authorities and is activating contingency plans should the situation change and require flight cancellations and diversions,said the statement posted on its website.The closure of the airspace over Northern Germany caused by the volcanic ash had forced Emirates to cancel its flights EK059 and EK060  on Wednesday.