The Air China air carrier resumed flights...

Russia has not closed its airspace over a volcanic ash cloud which halted air traffic across Europe. Air China, however, has cancelled all flights from Beijing to Europe, including Moscow, leaving hundreds of Russians stranded.

"As the Chinese Foreign Ministry told us this morning, Air China resumed flights today," Chief of Consular Division Leonid Ignatenko said.

He said the air carrier will make three flights on Tuesday, one on schedule and two extra.

"Tourists are leaving without problems, even those who have their group visa expired leave Beijing without any difficulties," the Russian diplomat said.

A cloud of ash from an eruption on the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier in Iceland, which began on April 14, has disabled air traffic throughout central and northern Europe, leaving thousands of travelers stranded and forcing more than 20 European countries to close their airspace.

BEIJING, April 20 (RIA Novsoti)