Hi it's not what people first thought
Remember that ash cloud?
It didn't exist, says newevidence
By Sean Poulter of the Daily Mail
Last updated at 10:28 AM on 26th April 2010
Eruption: TheEyjafjallajokullvolcano saw flights across Europegrind to a halt and passengers stranded
Britain's airspace was closedunder false pretences, with satellite images revealing there was nodoomsdayvolcanic ash cloud over the entire country.
Skies fell quiet for six days, leaving as many as 500,000 Britons stranded overseas and costingairlineshundreds of millions of pounds. Estimates put the number of Britonsstill stuckabroad at 35,000.
Stranded: Hundreds of desperate Britonssleep on the basement floor at Bangkok 'sInternational Airport ,Thailandwaiting to get flights home However, new evidence shows there was noall-encompassing cloud and, where dust was present, it was often sothin that it posed no risk. The satellite images demonstrate that theskies were largely clear, which will not surprise the millions whoenjoyed the fine, hot weather during the flight ban. Jim McKenna, the CivilAviation Authority's head ofairworthiness, strategy and policy, admitted: 'It's obvious that at thestart of this crisis there was a lack of definitive data. |
| False alarm? Satellite images have revealed there may never have been a doomsday volcanic ash cloud over theUK (file picture) |
'It's also true that for some of the time, the density of ash above theUK wasclose to undetectable.'
The satellite images will be used by airlines in their battle to win tens of millions of poundsin
compensation from governments for their losses.
The National Air Traffic Control Service decision to ban flights was based on Met Officecomputer modelswhich painted a picture of a cloud of ash being blown south from theEyjafjallajokull volcano.
These models should have been tested by the Met Office's main research plane, aBAE146 jet, but it was in a hangar to be repainted and could not be sentup untillast Tuesday - the last day of the ban.
Evidence has emerged that the maximum density of the ash was only about one 20th of the limitthatscientists, the Government, and aircraft and engine manufacturers havenowdecided is safe.
British Airways chief WillieWalshalways insisted the total shutdown went too far.
'My personal belief is that we could have safely continued operating for a period,' he said.
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Britain's ABTA, which represents British travel agents andtouroperators, said about 100,000 stranded British travellers should havebeenreturned home by Monday morning.
About 35,000 more will remain marooned until Friday, the group said.
'While most flights are back to normal, and most stranded British passengers will be back bythe end ofthis weekend, there is still quite a high level of disruption in somedestinations.
'In some areas of the world, there is a significant lack of air capacity to enable Britishpeople tobe returned quickly,' Tanzer said.
Many Icelandic airports are closed and though authorities say Eyjafjallajokull is now producingmuchless ash, they confirmed no signs of the eruption ending.
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Replies
-Magus.
If you all want CHAOS, trust me, It will probaly come as one usually gets what you ask for, Be careful what you ask for. .
I am asking question Jason!
Why did they make this false alarm about the ash cloud?
WHY?
the line, YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH ! would apply to most of us. lol...
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