There has been a lot of ill-considered drivel on this thread.
Thanks to Sunfish for a wise contribution.
I suspect paidworker works for her/his pay in the Belgrano and/or Montreal.
The grauniad mentionned above - here's the link.
Iceland volcano ash cloud: The full story of how the airlines won the battle for the skies | UK news | The Guardian
I normally cannot stand the Grauniad, but for once it appears to have got the story right.
As to the airlines, they have been PATHETIC. If they can't be bothered to give accurate standards to ICAO, then airspace WILL be shut down. There is no point in MOL/WW et al moaning..........it's far too late.......idiots!!