Ash cloud forces flight cancellations

The impact of the closure of European air space began to ripple through Washington's three major airports. Jonathan Dean, spokesman for Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, said evening British Airways flights to and from London's Heathrow Airport are canceled for Thursday. Dean said BWI officials did not know yet how Friday flights would be affected. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees Dulles and Reagan National, advised travelers to check with their airlines.

Many airlines were issuing waivers for travel to destinations affected by the clouds of volcanic ash. American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Lufthansa, SAS, United and U.S. Airways all announced that travelers would be able to rebook without penalty or obtain refunds, depending on the destination.

-- Ovetta Wiggins, Mark Berman and Lisa Rein