Iceland's airports were closed Sunday and transatlantic flights were being diverted around that country's airspace after a major volcanic eruption.

The Grimsvotn volcano eruption is reminiscent of another eruption, of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland last year, which shut down European flights and left passengers stranded across the world.

In an announcement, Isavia, the Icelandic company that operates that nation's airports, cited airborne ash as the reason for closing Keflavik International Airport (KEF), which serves Reykjavik, the capital. It said a danger area has been established for all instrument flying that includes the upper approach airspace for Keflavik and also the smaller Reykjavik Airport (RKV), which serves domestic flights.

The announcement said the airports would be shut until at least noon Monday.

Eyjafjallajökull Iceland Iceland Iceland