10:32 AM:A volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused the cancellation today of several flights from San Francisco International Airport to European destinations including London and Paris.
An ash cloud from the volcano has prompted the closure of all British airports until at least 7 a.m. local time Friday. Airports in France have been shut down as well.
As a result, five nonstop flights to London from San Francisco were canceled today, airport spokesman Mike McCarron said.
The canceled flights were on British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and United Airlines, McCarron said.
Air France has canceled its nonstop flight today from SFO to Paris.
A British Airways flight that departed San Francisco for London’s Heathrow Airport on Wednesday evening returned to the Bay Area at about 2:45 a.m. today because of the ash cloud, Brown said.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines to confirm travel plans.
Operations have not been impacted at Mineta San Jose and Oakland international airports, which do not offer direct flights to Europe.
7:45 AM: A volcano eruption in Iceland is disrupting air travel from San Francisco International Airport to London.
The ash cloud has prompted the closure of British airports.
Michael Brown, a duty manager at SFO, said two flights to London’s Heathrow Airport were canceled on Wednesday because of the eruption.
“So far the only thing that we’ve been aware of is Heathrow,” he said.
A British Airways flight that departed SFO for Heathrow on Wednesday evening returned to the Bay Area at around 2:45 a.m. because of the ash cloud, Brown said.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines to confirm travel plans.
Operations were not immediately impacted at Mineta San Jose and Oakland international airports, which do not offer direct flights to Europe.
“It’s not likely to have a direct effect here,” San Jose airport spokesman David Vossbrink said.
6:47 AM: An active volcano in Iceland is disrupting air travel from San Francisco International Airport to Europe this morning.
The volcano Eyjafjoll in southern Iceland began erupting late Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, prompting some airlines to suspend trans-Atlantic flights due to a plume of ash spreading through the atmosphere.
A British Airways flight that departed SFO for London Heathrow Airport Wednesday evening returned to the Bay Area at around 2:45 a.m. because of the volcanic hazard, SFO duty manager Michael Brown said.
Travelers are advised to check with airlines to confirm travel plans.
