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To operate in the new time zone, airlines must present a safety case that has the backing of the aircraft and engine manufacturer.
According to one airline executive, this change will reduce cancellations significantly and allow airlines to resume an almost normal flight schedule.
These new measures come amidst criticism from the airline industry regarding the handling of the ash crisis. The British Airways chief described the bans as a ‘gross over-reaction’ and Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines described the situation as ‘beyond a joke’.
However, the chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that it is the CAA’s job to keep the public safe by ‘ensuring safety decisions are based on scientific and engineering evidence’. They claim some airlines have a ‘let’s suck it and see’ attitude which would place passengers at risk.
According to the air traffic control authority, the changes would mean that there is no predicted disruption to British airspace for the immediate future.