Well, today flights seem to returning to some kind of normality but I can't help thinking that a complete 'blanket shutdown' of UK airspace was probably not necessary in the first place. I know safety has to be the primary concern but I don't think the methods employed to measure just how much ash existed and at what levels AND if it was actually dangerous to aircraft engines at the concentration levels seen over the UK was nearly accurate enough.
I do think there were quite possibly 'safe windows' of airspace to operate in during the crisis period but I'm sure that's one issue that all those involved in the industry will be debating for many months to come!
I'm also certain the airlines will be fighting for compensation for the considerable loss of revenue but it's also all the allied industries that have been seriously affected that will suffer the hardest because there's no chance of recompense for them. Businesses such as those based at the airports: car hire firms, retailers, caterers etc. - they will have lost out considerably.
To be fair, this is a new and fairly unique situation to have found ourselves having to deal with as a country and I'm sure lessons will be learned for the future...
