Apr 27, 2010

Ash cloud aftermath: was UK airspace closed for nothing?

Remember that ash cloud? It didn’t exist according to a report from the UK.

From the Daily Mail report:

Britain's airspace was closed under false pretences, with satellite images revealing there was no doomsday volcanic ash cloud over the entire country.


Skies fell quiet for six days, leaving as many as 500,000 Britons stranded overseas and costing airlines hundreds of millions of pounds.

Estimates put the number of Britons still stuck abroad at 35,000.


Evidence has emerged that the maximum density of the ash was only about one 20th of the limit that scientists, the Government, and aircraft and engine manufacturers have now decided is safe.

The two big questions remaining -- who will be sued and when will the lawsuits begin?

More here.