Airline boss harshly criticizes new UK airspace suspensions.

Airport news for Flights,Travel on 17/05/2010.

Arrange your travel plans by choosing from car hire, hotels, flights, airport parking and travel insurance using our form.

Virgin airline boss Sir Richard Branson has laid into authorities over the decision to impose a fresh round of air-travel suspensions. The suspensions were triggered by a new cloud of volcanic ash drifting into European airspace. Saying the latest bans were 'beyond a joke', Branson called on the British government to intervene and end what he sees as senseless interruptions to normal flights.

Sir Branson said the current conditions were no different to those seen last week and tests had so-far failed to find any evidence that safety was affected. Both airlines and the makers of aircraft engines have run tests that Sir Branson claims show there is no cause for concern.

Air-traffic controllers have implemented a rolling series of airspace suspensions since Sunday that hit airports in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. In the latest round of interruptions, airports across the London area shut at 1am on Monday. Authorities said Heathrow, Gatwick, London City and Stansted airports would remain closed for at least six hours.

There has have been incidents in the past where airliners lost all power to their engines after flying into heavy ash close to volcanoes. In both cases, the aircraft managed to restart their engines after falling to lower altitudes and went on to land safely. Volcanic ash can solidify in jet engines and impede normal operation as well as damage important engine components.

More Airport News