25.05.11
Ryanair has called for restrictions on airlines to be lifted after it flew a plane though the thickest part of the latest volcanic ash cloud, the Telegraph reports. The airline 'strongly objects' to airspace closure orders that have already seen flights cancelled at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Prestwick airports yesterday.
A spokesman for the airline said it had completed a one-hour 'verification flight' in Scottish airspace yesterday. The plane took off from Prestwick, flew to Inverness, on to Aberdeen and down to Edinburgh. The spokesman said: 'There was no visible volcanic ash cloud or any other presence of volcanic ash and the post-flight inspection revealed no evidence of volcanic ash on the airframe, wings or engines.'
'The absence of any volcanic ash in the atmosphere supports our view that there is no safety threat to planes in this mythical 'red zone'. Ryanair has also received written confirmation from both its airframe and engine manufacturers that it is safe to operate in 'red zones'. Ryanair believes that there was no safety risk to aircraft on fights and will be complaining to the Transport Minister and regulatory authorities about these unnecessary cancellations.'
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