Ash cloud regulators 'were too cautious', says Lord Adonis

23/04/2010

By Sam Lock.

Transport secretary Lord Adonis has denied claims that UK flight restrictions were lifted due to pressure from airlines.

According to the minister, the ban on flights in and out of UK airports was removed after safety regulators advised ash in the atmosphere had reduced to a safe level.

Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats recently called for an inquiry into the decisions surrounding the restrictions, which were imposed from Wednesday (April 14th) last week.

Speaking to Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2, Lord Adonis commented: "It's fair to say that we were too cautious – 'we' being the international safety regulation community."

He added, however, that the regulators "needed a good deal of experience and testing to see what was in fact the impact of the ash".

Bosses at Birmingham International Airport recently estimated the cancellations were costing the facility between £250,000 and £300,000 every day.

National Air Traffic Services recently confirmed that all UK airports except Stornoway are now open.