A new eruption in Iceland’s active volcano has swept mainland Europe with a cloud of ash, prompting half the continent to ground all flights for fear of engine failure.

The United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands have all announced a closure of air space in their respective territories due to the volcanic ash, which is known to cause jet engines to shut down. Some 3,000 commercial flights have so far been cancelled, and many around the world who had expect to fly to, from, or through some the world’s most traveled airports are now finding themselves stranded.

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US military flights in Europe have also been shut down, with traffic either grounded until conditions improve, or with transit routes being re-routed around the giant cloud of volcanic dust.

The Icelandic Civil Protection Department (ICPD) has been monitoring the eruptions for two weeks, and have continued to evacuate areas near the adjacent Eyjafjallajokull glacier, which has been melting and causing flooding in the small island nation.