Fears grow for UK's economy as aircraft remain grounded

Hundreds of aircraft remain grounded today as the cloud of volcanic ash continues to paralyse aviation. Airlines are awaiting the results of test flights made last night to establish if it is safe to get passenger jets into the air amid mounting disruption and growing worries about the economic consequences.

The ban on flying was extended until 7am today, but most airlines ruled out any services before this afternoon even if restrictions are lifted.

It left about 150,000 travellers stranded abroad and unable to get home, among them families returning at the end of the Easter school holidays.

A Dunkirk-inspired rescue mission by TV historian Dan Snow to bring travellers stranded in Calais home in a flotilla of speedboats was scuppered by French officials. He got 25 people across the Channel to Dover on three boats before being told by port officials in Calais that no more trips would be allowed as it was bad for the ferry services.

Mr Snow, who hatched the plan after a friend's wife became stranded, said: "The French shut us down – it's a real shame. I'm really a bit disappointed and feel bad for all the people we left behind."

As analysts put the cost of the shutdown of commercial flights at 1bn to the travel industry, the Prime Minister convened a meeting at Downing Street involving Ministers, scientists and the Met Office to gauge how long the ban might last, what assistance could be offered to stranded passengers and if travel companies may be able to claim EU compensation for any losses.

As the meeting went ahead, British Airways sent a jumbo jet on a three-hour test flight out into the Atlantic with chief executive Willie Walsh aboard. Earlier, Dutch carrier KLM said it had sent a test flight up with no apparent problems.