The CTRM Blog

Having spent almost 3 days trying to get home from London (more on THAT experience later), I am following this volcanic ash story with some considerable interest. What I do not understand is how everyone – media included – is accepting what has happened without any questions? Whatever happened to investigative journalism?

Let’s face it, look up at the sky and its blue and clear across Europe. Airline test flights have flown and there has been no damage, no problems and in fact, no ash. Meanwhile, the BBC radio reported last night that several airlines trying to oppose this situation have discovered that the WHOLE ban on flying is based on computer models and that NOT ONE single balloon has sampled the atmosphere over Europe. Furthermore, why is there a complete ban on air travel and not just jets? Turboprops have filters fitted and fly at lower levels so why are they grounded too? Meanwhile, airlines are going bankrupt and 6.7 million people are suffering.

So who took this decision and why?

The media have blatantly reported nothing but what they were told to report. Even going through how ash clouds damage jet engines and providing stories of two incidents with near disastrous consequences. But… both those planes ran into problems when they flew DIRECTLY into ash clouds above active volcanoes – not flying through some dispersed ash from a distant volcano.

I guess as an analyst constantly asking questions I am stunned that this could occur and no one – except belatedly the air lines whose very existence is threatened – would ask questions. OK – its a health & safety issue I know but surely more investigation and thinking about this problem should be taking place? Right?