Volcanic ash cloud drifts east, flight disruptions get even worse in Europe

Flight disruptions in Europe get even worse

LONDON — British aviation authorities have extended a ban on flights over England and Wales for six more hours into Saturday morning but say restrictions over Scotland and Northern Ireland are being lifted.

The National Air Traffic Service said in a statement that the British flight ban now stretches to 7 a.m. local time (0600GMT, 2 a.m. EDT). The ban affects all of London’s five airports, including Heathrow, Europe’s busiest.

The company says overseas flights can now depart and arrive at airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but that did “not mean that all flights will operate.”