Drifting clouds of volcanic ash from Iceland grounded hundreds of flights in northern Europe on Thursday, closing airspace in Britain, Germany, and Scandinavia.

Several British airports closed Thursday after a massive cloud of ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland drifted into Britain's airspace.

About 150 flights were canceled at Heathrow Airport，one of the world's busiest. Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Newcastle airports were completely shut.

The Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) imposed restrictions after the Met Office warned that volcanic ash could damage engines. Passengers were being advised to contact their airlines prior to travel.

Videos:

		IATA: European response to volcano crisis 'dissatisfactory'

Volcano ash inflicts losses in Africa	Authorities reopen European airspace	Icelandic volcano continues to erupt

Europe aims for 50% of flights take to sky	Volcano hurts European economy	Passengers stranded across Europe due to ash

Iceland volcano eruption may continue in near future	Volcanic activity expected to continue in Iceland	Airports close due to Iceland volcano ash

Iceland evacuates hundreds of people	Volcano in Iceland continues to erupt	Hundreds evacuate after volcano eruption in Iceland

Featured photos: