Airlines seek cash for ash as flights restart

There were bitter recriminations over the almost week-long closure in April 2010 of large parts of European airspace because of volcanic ash from Iceland.

Airlines sought compensation from governments over the disruption, said to be the worst since World War II.

But scientists said regulators had few options beyond a ban on flights.

Critical questions about Europe's handling of the crisis were also being asked. Did the crisis underscore a serious problem in the European Union's crisis management.

ESO: Background information: Recriminations grow over airline costs http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8636439.stm

ESO: Background information: Europe in uncharted territory on ash risks http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-in-uncharted-territory-on-ash-risks/

ESO: Background information: There was no alternative to flight bans, German transport minister says http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5489895,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 21.4.10: Anger Mounts over Volcano Crisis Response http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,690470,00.html

NRC Handelsblad, 20.4.10: EU can't be blamed for closing European airspace http://www.nrc.nl/international/europe/article2528434.ece/EU_cant_be_blamed_for_closing_European_airspace

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