South African Airways has announced it has cancelled all flights that were scheduled to depart today for Europe as Frankfurt and Munich airports have been closed. London’s Heathrow airport was closed to air traffic yesterday as a cloud of volcanic ash from the erupting volcano in Iceland continues to hamper aviation safety.

To see just what is causing all the trouble – and what effect it has had on air travellers all over Europe – see the volcanic slideshow on Times LIVE.

If you want to know just how volcanic activity in a far-off country can be potentially lethal to aircraft, read the story of British Airways Flight 009.

PHOTO: The plume of volcanic dust rises over Iceland. PICTURE: Olafur Eggertson/Reuters