Ryanair backs Aer Lingus on airspace closures

Ryanair today said it supported the statement issued by Aer Lingus last night criticising the recent closures of European airspace.

"Ryanair believes that EU Governments (and their regulatory authorities) have engaged in excessive and inappropriate closures of EU airspace where no evidence of volcanic ash concentrations or diminution of air safety is present," the low-fares airline said in a statement.

Yesterday evening Aer Lingus CEO Christoph Mueller said that decisions to close airspace were based on “theoretical” models subsequently proven to be wrong.

Mr Mueller called for a new European initiative to respond swiftly and decisively to any approaching ash cloud, proposing the use of specialised aircraft equipped with appropriate measurement devices.

Today Ryanair backed the proposal calling on EU governments to adopt similar volcano response measures as in the US, and stop "inappropriate and unnecessary closures of vast swathes of European airspace".

The airline also said it was doing everything possible to minimise disruption to passengers' travel plans.

“Ryanair continues to operate the overwhelming majority of our schedule, while announcing a rolling programme of flight cancellations based on these EU airspace closures," spokesman Stephen McNamara said.

"We apologise sincerely to passengers for any delays or inconvenience associated with these cancellations / delays, and assure them that Ryanair is doing everything possible to minimise them."