Volcanic ash keeps many European flights grounded for fifth day

European air travel disruption as a result of ash from the eruption of a volcano in Iceland is in its fifth day.

Around 6.8 million passengers worldwide have been affected, with more than 300 European airports paralysed.

Airlines have strongly criticised the way European authorities have handled the threat.

They say the imposition of flight bans across Europe is misguided and is devastating the industry.

Anthony Council is director of communication for the International Air Transport Association.

Airlines have been carrying out test flights, which so far appear to have come back undamaged, but Nato has reported that F-16 fighter planes did suffer from glass build-up when flying through the ash cloud.

Eric Moody is a retired pilot who managed to fly a Boeing 747 through an ash cloud in 1982.

The cost to the aviation industry is being put at over $200m a day.

Jacques Cailloux, chief European economist at Royal Bank of Scotland describes the effect of the flight disruption on the broader economy.

There may be some good news for the airlines, as the eruption of the volcano at Eyjafjallajökull appears to have diminished, according to vulcanologist Tumi Gudmundsson.

First broadcast 19 April 2010