The International Air Transport Association has fiercely criticised the European Union's response to the cloud of volcanic ash, which is covering part of Europe since Wednesday.

The ash cloud was caused by an eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano. IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani said: "This is a European embarrassment and it's a European mess." According to IATA there has been no risk-assessment, no coordination and no leadership. The aviation industry is losing at least 185 million euros a day.

IATA says the costs of volcanic ash cloud are higher than after the 9/11 attacks when US air space was closed for three days. The organisation says it was unnecessary to completely close European air space, and argues for the creation of safe corridors. IATA says European air space should now be gradually opened to aviation.

Dutch Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings says he agrees and will argue for reopening EU airspace at a video conference of EU transport ministers later on Monday. However, the United Kingdom, Germany and Belgium will keep their air space closed at least until Monday night. France will maintain its flying ban until Tuesday morning. A number of European countries including Austria, Sweden and Finland have already opened their air space. British scientists say the ash cloud may reach the Canadian coast later today.