Holidays in Cancun

4:55pm Friday 25th June 2010 in

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Is It Really Safe to Start Flying Again?

Flights are beginning to return to normal in the aftermath of the total UK airspace shutdown and the stunning eruption of an Icelandic volcano. But who could have imagined that the volcanic eruption on a small northerly island could have such huge repercussions all around the world. As flights were cancelled from the UK, they were also prevented from returning meaning hundreds of tourists were left stranded abroad. So is it really safe to start flying again? Holidays in Cancun, America, Africa and even Australia have all been affected by the volcanic ash spewing from the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in southern Iceland. But did we really need to take such drastic action? Was it really necessary to close the UK airspace totally? Can ash really do very much damage to the planes engines?

Many people have claimed that there has been an over reaction to the ash in the atmosphere and that not all flights need to have been cancelled. How dangerous can these tiny particles actually be?

Dr Rothery a volcano researcher from the UK's Open University stated, "If volcanic ash particles are ingested into a jet engine, they accumulate and clog the engines with molten glass." The ash could also damage the windscreen and clog the fuel system. Not good when you are cruising at 32,000 feet.

"This dust is really nasty stuff" former president of the royal Aeronautical Society, Stewart John explained "It's extremely fine and if it gets into a jet engine, it blocks up all of the ventilation holes that bleed in cooling air. Jet engines operate at 2,000°C, and metals can't take that. The engine will just shut down"

Test flights that some airlines have sent up over the last few days appear to have gone without a hitch.

Air safety regulators decided that at 22.00 on Tuesday, the air quality would be safe enough to fly again and flight restrictions were lifted. This is not as a direct result of pressure from the airlines according to Lord Adonis, the Transport Secretary.

So as you finally set off on your long awaited holidays in Cancun, Croatia, the Costas or wherever you are lucky enough to be travelling to, just keep an eye open for any unusual cloud formations or dark patches shading out the sun.