Volcanic ash grounds dozens of UK flights

Hundreds of passengers are likely to be stranded this morning as a volcanic ash plume has grounded flights across the country.

The plume, from a volcano in Iceland, could take several days to clear. The ash can be thick enough to knock out jet engines.

Currently Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are closed and 90 per cent of flights out of Birmingham have been cancelled but other areas are likely to be affected as the day goes on. Flights in and out of Heathrow and Stansted airports will be cancelled from midday.

BAA advises anyone travelling today to contact their airline and to expect delays. Check the latest advice here.

The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats), currently unable to keep its website up, told the BBC: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight.

"Nats is working with Eurocontrol and our colleagues in Europe's other air navigation service providers to take the appropriate action to ensure safety in accordance with international aviation policy."

There are nine volcanic ash tracking centres responsible for advising airlines worldwide about where the various ash clouds are. ®