Volcanic ash shuts down airspace in much of western, northern Europe

Volcanic ash from a Wednesday eruption in Iceland drifted over much of western and northern Europe, rendering airspace unfit for aircraft and forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights. At London Heathrow alone, 399 departures and 412 arrivals were cancelled Thursday, and UK airspace was expected to remain closed through all of Friday. Flybe said that all 71 of its aircraft were grounded by midday Thursday and Ryanair confirmed it cancelled more than 600 flights, approximately 40% of ...