16.04.2010 metro.co.uk That great election debate on the telly Three men, three suits and three very well rehearsed sets of arguments. And the winner? Step forward Mr Clegg Pages 4&5
Smoke billows from the volcano in Iceland that disrupted British flights yesterday Picture: AFP/Getty
The day the skies stood still
HUNDREDS of thousands of air passengers were plunged into turmoil yesterday as an erupting volcano grounded almost all British flights – and the chaos could drag on for days. All but emergency flights into and out of the country were cancelled as a cloud of ash drifted across Europe from Iceland. Frustrated travellers accused air traffic controllers of overreacting, causing a flight standstill that could cost the airline industry £30million a day. But experts said planes had to be grounded, since the ash could affect visibility or shut down engines, causing aircraft to crash. Arrivals and departures across most of Britain were wiped out from noon yesterday, with air-
by Aidan Radnedge space closed until 1pm today at the earliest. Dr Andrew Bell, from Edinburgh University’s School of Geosciences, said: ‘It is very difficult to say how long the eruption could last. Activity – and disruption – could continue for weeks or months.’ The surging ash cloud from the Eyjaffjalljokull volcano spread across Scandinavia, drifting down across Scotland and towards the south coast of England throughout yesterday. Among the airports brought to a standstill was Heathrow, which usually handles 1,300 flights and 180,000 passengers a day. Flights were also called off in
Sweden, Denmark, Finland, France and the Netherlands. CivilAviationAuthority spokesman Richard Taylor said the effect on flights was ‘worse than the 9/11 terror attack’. ‘That stopped transatlantic air traffic but, even then, flights to the continent and within the UK continued,’ he added. Passengers were forced to try to find hotels or pour on to other transport, including trains, ferries and coaches. At Heathrow, 70-year-old Patrick Keys, hoping to get home to Dublin, said: ‘I think they over-reacted. The skies were totally clear.’ But air traffic controllers Nats insisted: ‘Safety is our priority.’ Full reports UP8-9