European airports close due to Iceland volcano blast

More than 250 flights to and from the United Kingdom are cancelled Thursday due to the volcanic ash that has drifted over Europe following a volcanic eruption in Iceland. All of British Airways' domestic flights, as well as flights in Norway and northern Sweden were halted. Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland airports were all shut.

Reuters

"Following advice frm the Met Office, the National Air Traffic Service has reduced restrictions to UK airspace this morning as a result of volcanic ash drifting across the United Kingdom from Iceland," said British airport operator BAA.

Irish, Finnish and Spanish airports have all followed suit.

The drifting ash can damage aircraft engines and it has also clouded visibility.

A volcano on the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in southern Iceland erupted on Wednesday, causing evacuations in the immediate area.