[thijsterlouw]

I'm very glad that KLM is pushing to lift the flight bans! From what I understand, is there are no strict rules to decide when not to fly due to volcanic eruptions. The current bans are just based on calculations and now the KLM (and the two German airlines) have done tests and it shows it's safe to fly. I want to catch my flight to the Netherlands from Hong Kong this Saturday and I have full confidence in the integrity of KLM.

[avar]

They haven't shown that it's safe to fly, they've just shown that they could fly a few planes from A->B without them crashing. Anecdote is not the same as evidence.

[qq66]

I'm really surprised at how many people express little to no concern about being in a metal tube 5 miles up in what might be volcanic ash, given what ash has done to other planes.

[gaius]

The pilot doesn't want to die either, and the airline don't want to lose their expensive plane!

I'll happily jump on a plane as soon as airspace reopens knowing that.

[hga]

There's satellite data as well, e.g. picking up SO2 and I think infrared off the particles, but the only one I read about and that I therefore know can do that takes most of a week to image the entire planet.