A safe landing

AS the last stragglers left stranded by the volcanic ash crisis finally make it back to Britain, the airlines will be pleased to learn that the EU have paved the way for them to receive government state aid if necessary.

However, this should not be interpreted as a blank cheque. Far from it. Most stranded passengers will be covered by travel insurance – and it will be their insurers, rather than the airline, who pick up the bill for the extra hotel costs that were incurred as a result of the "safety first" approach.

If the EU wishes to be helpful, it perhaps needs to instigate a review of the safety rules governing the closure of airspace to avoid a repeat of the confusion earlier this month – and offer some clarity on the rights of consumers after Michael O'Leary, the boss of Ryanair, tried and failed to circumvent existing procedures.

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