IATA says Volcanic ash handling shows inconsistent state decisions on airspace management
Neelam Mathews New Delhi Time:10;00 am IST It is reassuring to see that International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said it is encouraged by the improved coordination of European authorities so far in managing its airspace in light of the Grimsvotn volcanic eruption. Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has said restrictions on flights in and out of Scotland are unneccessary and a test flight which travelled between the affected airports yesterday was not affected: "There is no evidence of any volcanic ash. We inspected the aircraft, the wings, the engine, on landing – nothing," said O’Leary to BBC. Ryan Air’s view and other airlines view is that the UK met charts are unreliable. This was rubbished by CAA Transport Secretary Philip Hammond that the ash cloud spreading from an Icelandic volcano does not exist. Hammond said the information he had seen regarding the Ryanair flight suggested it "did not actually fly in any areas" where ash was expected....