Air New Zealand has two planes grounded at Heathrow as a result of the ash cloud from Iceland’s erupting volcano which is moving across Europe.

Most airports in northern Europe have been closed because of the danger to planes.

Air New Zealand has had to divert one flight to the UK to Frankfurt and passengers on a flight to Europe via the United States have been put up in hotels in Los Angeles. Group general manager Ed Sims is not yet sure exactly what will happen with the flight which due to leave New Zealand for London at 4am tomorrow.

“We’re hoping that the situation will start to clear about midday UK time, so midnight our time, which would mean that NZ1 could get away on time and we’re working toward that.”

However Mr Sims admits that no-one is sure when the planes will be able to fly again.

Vulcanologist Brad Scott says the Icelandic volcano began erupting about three weeks ago, but in the last few days the eruptions have changed in nature with ash spewing kilometres into the air. He says there is no way of knowing how long the problem will last.

– For ongoing coverage listen live at www.newstalkzb.co.nz