Volcanic Ash Grounds Heathrow, Gatwick Flights in Britain

More than 250 flights to and from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports were grounded on Thursday by volcanic ash drifting from a volcanic eruption in Iceland, airport operators said.

More than 150 flights to and from Heathrow and 108 flights to and from Gatwick, including many transatlantic services, were cancelled, and Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports in Scotland were shut.

Airport operator BAA said:

“Following advice from the Met Office, the National Air Traffic Service (NATS) has introduced restrictions to UK airspace this morning as a result of volcanic ash drifting across the United Kingdom from Iceland.”

The restrictions were introduced because volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines.