Pandemic of panic: The great volcanic shutdown was the price we pay for a society that overreacts to any risk
Well, was it worth it? The six-day shutdown of most of Europe's and all Britain's airports is estimated to have cost the airline industry at least £1.2 billion. Millions of people have suffered expense, inconvenience and even distress rescuing themselves from faraway places.But doubt persists about whether the danger posed by Iceland's volcanic ash cloud justified the drastic response...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-1267904/Iceland-volcano-eruption-The-price-pay-society-overreacts-risk.html#ixzz0mkYaaZsu(2)
LONDON – Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson says the Europe-wide ban on flights prompted by the volcanic ash cloud was unnecessary.
Branson said Saturday that his engineers insisted planes could have flown without any danger from the ash, spewed by Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull (pronounced ay-yah-FYAH-lah-yer-kuhl) volcano.
Flights across Europe were grounded for several days, causing chaos for travelers and businesses. Branson said his airline lost 50 million pounds ($77 million).
He says Britain's government has now "accepted that there was overreaction," and called for airlines to be compensated for their losses.
British airspace was closed for six days. Authorities say Europe is now almost completely free of volcanic ash.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100424/ap_on_re_eu/eu_iceland_volcano