A British Airways flight to test the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud’s effect on aircraft engines may prove that European operators have over reacted.
The Boeing 747 took off from London and flew over the Atlantic before landing at Cardiff, Wales, for tests.
The data recorders showed that all four engines worked without fault during the 46-minute flight.
This contradicts a report issued by Nato yesterday, which said a fighter jet had returned to base with ash residue in its engines.
There have been complaints in recent days, suggesting that aircraft should not have been grounded or should have been allowed to fly below the ash cloud.
The approach of a second volcanic ash cloud on Tuesday looks set to further threaten air travel as airports in Scotland reopened this morning.
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