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Row grows over air shutdown costs Row grows over air shutdown costs
(10 minutes later)
Recriminations are growing over the costs of the six-day airspace shutdown as thousands of Britons continue their slow journey back to the UK.Recriminations are growing over the costs of the six-day airspace shutdown as thousands of Britons continue their slow journey back to the UK.
Airlines want compensation for the volcanic ash disruption, estimated to have cost the industry more than £1bn.Airlines want compensation for the volcanic ash disruption, estimated to have cost the industry more than £1bn.
Ryanair has now said it will abide by EU rules and and pay for stranded passengers' food and accommodation.Ryanair has now said it will abide by EU rules and and pay for stranded passengers' food and accommodation.
The Civil Aviation Authority has rejected accusations that it was too slow in reopening UK airspace.The Civil Aviation Authority has rejected accusations that it was too slow in reopening UK airspace.
Almost all flights across Europe are expected to go ahead on Thursday.Almost all flights across Europe are expected to go ahead on Thursday.
Huge numbers of passengers stranded by the flight ban are still finding their own way back, however.Huge numbers of passengers stranded by the flight ban are still finding their own way back, however.
Ryanair U-turnRyanair U-turn
Many airlines are angry at the length of the airspace ban and its knock-on cost to them.Many airlines are angry at the length of the airspace ban and its knock-on cost to them.
In addition to seeking compensation, some - including Ryanair - had objected to paying the hotel and food bills of stranded passengers.In addition to seeking compensation, some - including Ryanair - had objected to paying the hotel and food bills of stranded passengers.
The events of the last seven days... highlight how absurd and discriminatory the EU261 regulations are towards Europe's airlines Ryanair Iceland volcano: Air passenger rightsThe events of the last seven days... highlight how absurd and discriminatory the EU261 regulations are towards Europe's airlines Ryanair Iceland volcano: Air passenger rights
Under EU regulations, if a flight is cancelled then those passengers flying on European carriers in or out of the EU have the right to a refund or to be re-routed.Under EU regulations, if a flight is cancelled then those passengers flying on European carriers in or out of the EU have the right to a refund or to be re-routed.
If passengers choose to re-book, the law require carriers to cover passengers' reasonable expenses.If passengers choose to re-book, the law require carriers to cover passengers' reasonable expenses.
Earlier, budget airline Ryanair said reimbursement would be limited to the original air fare paid by each passenger.Earlier, budget airline Ryanair said reimbursement would be limited to the original air fare paid by each passenger.
However it later issued a statement saying it would comply with the EU rules and would refund passengers for "reasonably-receipted expenses".However it later issued a statement saying it would comply with the EU rules and would refund passengers for "reasonably-receipted expenses".
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary told the BBC passengers would not receive extra compensation for the inconvenience and the airline would seek to recover its costs - up to 40m euros (£35m) - from the EU "which closed the airspace".Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary told the BBC passengers would not receive extra compensation for the inconvenience and the airline would seek to recover its costs - up to 40m euros (£35m) - from the EU "which closed the airspace".
Mr O'Leary also said he would continue to lobby for a change to the "unfair" rules.Mr O'Leary also said he would continue to lobby for a change to the "unfair" rules.
"The events of the last seven days, under which Europe's airlines were prevented from flying by the closure of European airspace, highlight how absurd and discriminatory the regulations are towards Europe's airlines," he said."The events of the last seven days, under which Europe's airlines were prevented from flying by the closure of European airspace, highlight how absurd and discriminatory the regulations are towards Europe's airlines," he said.
'Against the law''Against the law'
Easyjet said the flight ban had cost it £50m, including paying for 15,000 hotel rooms.Easyjet said the flight ban had cost it £50m, including paying for 15,000 hotel rooms.
Oliver Aust from the airline told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme it will compensate passengers but said that the law was "unfair".Oliver Aust from the airline told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme it will compensate passengers but said that the law was "unfair".
The EC have indicated they will compensate airlines and British holiday companies in the same way that the American government compensated airlines in America after 9/11 Sir Richard BransonThe EC have indicated they will compensate airlines and British holiday companies in the same way that the American government compensated airlines in America after 9/11 Sir Richard Branson
"We accept it is in the legislation but the legislation is not fit for purpose - it was drafted to deal with overbooking, it was never meant to make airlines the insurer of last resort in a case of natural disaster," he said."We accept it is in the legislation but the legislation is not fit for purpose - it was drafted to deal with overbooking, it was never meant to make airlines the insurer of last resort in a case of natural disaster," he said.
Some flight-only travellers with Tui - which owns Thomson - whose original flights were cancelled are also being told they would have to pay the difference if an alternative flight is more expensive.Some flight-only travellers with Tui - which owns Thomson - whose original flights were cancelled are also being told they would have to pay the difference if an alternative flight is more expensive.
But the official airline watchdog in the UK, the Air Transport Users Council, said passengers should not be asked to pay more money.But the official airline watchdog in the UK, the Air Transport Users Council, said passengers should not be asked to pay more money.
'Safe option''Safe option'
Many airlines are seeking financial help from the UK government or European authorities.Many airlines are seeking financial help from the UK government or European authorities.
Sir Richard Branson, who owns Virgin Atlantic, told the BBC he would expect compensation.Sir Richard Branson, who owns Virgin Atlantic, told the BBC he would expect compensation.
"The EC have indicated they will compensate airlines and British holiday companies in the same way that the American government compensated airlines in America after 9/11," he said."The EC have indicated they will compensate airlines and British holiday companies in the same way that the American government compensated airlines in America after 9/11," he said.
He also said he did not blame the UK government for the blanket ban as it was the "safe option" but lessons would be learned and it would probably never happen again.He also said he did not blame the UK government for the blanket ban as it was the "safe option" but lessons would be learned and it would probably never happen again.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC the flight ban had perhaps been "too cautious" but that regulators had needed time to test the impact of the ash on aircraft safety.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis told the BBC the flight ban had perhaps been "too cautious" but that regulators had needed time to test the impact of the ash on aircraft safety.
He said: "In the face of the eruption that took place in the middle of last week, the safety regulators had to deal with the issue of tolerable levels of ash which were compatible with safe operation.He said: "In the face of the eruption that took place in the middle of last week, the safety regulators had to deal with the issue of tolerable levels of ash which were compatible with safe operation.
"Why did it take six days for the regulators to reach their conclusions? The answer is they needed a good deal of experience and testing to see what was in fact the impact of the ash.""Why did it take six days for the regulators to reach their conclusions? The answer is they needed a good deal of experience and testing to see what was in fact the impact of the ash."
Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Andrew Haines said he "made no apologies" for the length of the airspace ban, and that any independent inquiry would back his position.Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Andrew Haines said he "made no apologies" for the length of the airspace ban, and that any independent inquiry would back his position.
Luxurious returnLuxurious return
More than 95,000 flights were cancelled across Europe in the past week, with only a handful of flights taking off and landing at UK airports.More than 95,000 flights were cancelled across Europe in the past week, with only a handful of flights taking off and landing at UK airports.
The eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull on 15 April sent vast amounts of ash into the atmosphere which poses a threat to aircraft jet engines.The eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull on 15 April sent vast amounts of ash into the atmosphere which poses a threat to aircraft jet engines.
The blanket ban was lifted on Tuesday night and efforts to get tens of thousands of stranded Britons home have stepped up, with Heathrow Airport being granted permission for more night landings.The blanket ban was lifted on Tuesday night and efforts to get tens of thousands of stranded Britons home have stepped up, with Heathrow Airport being granted permission for more night landings.
There were 24 extra flights at Heathrow overnight, and trains ran from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted through the night to help people get home.There were 24 extra flights at Heathrow overnight, and trains ran from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted through the night to help people get home.
In other developments:In other developments:
• About 2,200 British tourists stranded in Spain are returning home on board a new luxury cruise ship in what is thought to be one of the largest peacetime repatriations to the UK. The £500m Celebrity Eclipse arrived in Bilbao at 0630BST on Thursday and is expected to dock in Southampton on Friday evening• About 2,200 British tourists stranded in Spain are returning home on board a new luxury cruise ship in what is thought to be one of the largest peacetime repatriations to the UK. The £500m Celebrity Eclipse arrived in Bilbao at 0630BST on Thursday and is expected to dock in Southampton on Friday evening
• For Britons who are trying to cross the Channel, ferry company LD Lines is advising passengers to head for the ports of Dieppe and Le Havre, where they have foot passenger capacity on Thursday and over the next day• For Britons who are trying to cross the Channel, ferry company LD Lines is advising passengers to head for the ports of Dieppe and Le Havre, where they have foot passenger capacity on Thursday and over the next day
• Many airports around the UK are returning to business as usual. UK air traffic control body Nats said a volume of airline traffic "approaching 90%" was expected from 0700 BST• Many airports around the UK are returning to business as usual. UK air traffic control body Nats said a volume of airline traffic "approaching 90%" was expected from 0700 BST
• European air traffic agency Eurocontrol said almost all European airspace is available, with a few exceptions in parts of southern Finland, southern Norway, northern Scotland and western Sweden
• Flight restrictions remain in place in and out of Orkney and the Shetland Isles.• Flight restrictions remain in place in and out of Orkney and the Shetland Isles.