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The ash cloud produced by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in southern Iceland has caused unprecedented air chaos across Europe.

The ash cloud has led to the closure of airports (particularly in northern and central Europe) and the cancellation of thousands of flights, affecting millions of passengers, including some from our country.

Even yesterday, five days after the cloud began to spread, air space remained closed, either fully or partially, in some 20 countries with 70% of flights being cancelled.

Late yesterday afternoon, following a proposal by Eurocontrol (the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation), the European Union agreed to ease flight restrictions. Earlier, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents airlines, had fiercely criticised the way in which European governments had handled the crisis.

It is estimated that the impact of the crisis on the airline industry could exceed that which followed the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001.

The crisis has served as yet another reminder of the enormous power of nature.