Iceland volcano ash grounds flights across Europe

Drifting clouds of volcanic ash from Iceland grounded hundreds of flights in northern Europe on Thursday, closing airspace in Britain, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Several British airports closed Thursday after a massive cloud of ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland drifted into Britain's airspace.

More than 150 flights at London's Heathrow Airport and hundreds more across England have been canceled early Thursday. There were also no flights going in or out of Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned that volcanic ash could damage engines. Passengers were being advised to contact their airlines prior to travel.