Volcanic Ash grounds UK flights

Volcanic Ash advice: The Air Traffic Control Service (Nats), imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned ash could damage engines.

Passengers are being asked to speak to their airline before leaving to travel.

A spokesman for Nats explained: “The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight.

The plume of ash has also hit services major airports in Scotland, London, Manchester, Liverpool, Stansted, Birmingham, Newcastle and Bristol.

“All flights have been grounded in Cardiff until further notice,” said a spokesperson for Cardiff airport.

“Those monitoring the situation are meeting at the moment and we hope to have an update on the situation soon.”

Airport officials said passengers hoping to fly out of Cardiff on Thursday morning were “likely to face a struggle”.