The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (IATA) today criticised governments for the closure of airspace over Europe.
Amid mounting losses of over $200 million to the world’s leading airlines due to a possible threat from volcanic ash, IATA held an urgent meeting in Paris to discuss the crisis following the closure of airspace.
It expressed its “dissatisfaction with how governments have managed it, with no risk assessment, no consultation, no coordination, and no leadership”. IATA chief Giovanni Bisignani described the closure as “a European embarrassment and a European mess,” suggesting that the losses suffered by airlines were huge.
“European governments are still using a system based on a theoretical model which does not work,” said Bisignani.
With over 60,000 flights cancelled, major airlines have started test flights over the weekend to assess the safety of flying through ash particles hanging over sky following a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Airports in Switzerland and some other European countries are likely to be re-opened shortly.