Drifting ash from Iceland’s volcano causes major air traffic disruptions at British airports

Ash from Iceland’s volcano disrupts UK air traffic

LONDON — Officials say ash clouds drifting from Iceland’s erupting volcano have disrupted air traffic across Britain.

Flights have been suspended at the English cities of Manchester and Birmingham, as well as in Belfast in Northern Ireland and the Scottish airports at Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The ash has also disrupted operations at London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, where at least 150 flights were canceled. Another 138 flights have been canceled at Britain’s second-busiest terminal of London Gatwick.

U.K. airport operator BAA says “major disruption” in air traffic is expected, while the National Air Traffic Service explains “volcanic ash represents a significant safety threat to aircraft.”

The volcano erupted Wednesday.