European Airspace Still Closed after the Iceland Volcano Eruption

It’s day four after the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, and the European Airspace is still closed. Many companies, including KLM and Lufthansa have conducted test flights, with empty airplanes, to asses flying conditions, and to asses whether the volcanic ash impact the avionics. According to experts quoted by Reuters, volcanic ash has an abrasive effect and can strip off vital aerodynamic surfaces and paralyze an aircraft engine, while aircraft avionics and electronics can also be damaged.

The tests concluded that the flying conditions appeared safe, however the European airspace remains closed. Lufthansa and Air Berlin criticized the German authorities for not taking into consideration the results of the flight tests, Reuters reports:

“We are amazed that the results of the test flights done by (main carrier) Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) and Air Berlin have not had any bearing on the decision-making of the air safety authorities,” Air Berlin (AB1.DE) Chief Executive Joachim Hunold said in a statement.

Lufthansa carried out ten test flights, and the post-flight inspections showed no impact on the planes. Apparently, the closer of the European airspace is due to computer simulation data from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in London. For passengers and flight companies, the flight ban is causing a lot of stress, and in the end, financial damage. It’s hard to say exactly how much, however, spokesman for Lufthansa Klaus Walther was quoted in the Bild am Sonntag saying, “The flight ban, which purely rests on computer calculations, is causing billions of Euros of damage.”

The complete closure of the European airspace could last longer, as meteorologists say that the current weather situation could remain the same for another four days. But the flight ban is criticized in other European countries as well. As we watch the skies in Germany right now, we see nothing but clear blue. Who knows? If Lufthansa and Air Berlin are right, the current flight ban could turn into a big, nasty scandal.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Feature image: Air-Berlin-Chef Joachim Hunold courtesy Bild am Sontag