New guidelines issued last night by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have allowed flights to resume after six days of cancellations.
The CAA’s new guidelines relating to engine tolerance levels mean that aircraft will not be allowed to fly within 60 miles of areas where ash levels are beyond a designated limit.
The Met Office is monitoring the cloud’s dispersal and updating airlines and airports on a regular basis about any substantial changes in airspace quality.
Included in the CAA’s revised guidelines are requirements for airlines to conduct their own risk assessments, inspect for ash damage before and after every flight, and report any ash-related incidents.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that airlines have lost $1.7bn in the past week as a result of grounded flights, although it admits there were also some cost savings, such as fuel.
Flights across western and northern Europe had been grounded since last Thursday afternoon due to fears that a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland could have a devastating effect on aircraft engines.
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