In what seems a response to criticism from airline association IATA, European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said on Monday that the first priority in the coordinated European response to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland needs to be safety. "Work must be based on scientific evidence and independent expertise," he added referring to test flights carried out by some European airlines. Kallas said he has been discussing the safety situation with Eurocontrol, the European agency that coordinates flights, representatives of airlines, airports and scientists. The body that represents the world's airlines IATA, has criticised Europe's governments for the way they closed air space because of volcanic ash. The head of the airline industry body, Giovanni Bisignani, told the BBC, "This is a European embarrassment and it's a European mess". Kallas said EU transport ministers are to hold emergency talks Monday afternoon on the travel chaos caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud. "We must facilitate coordinated European solutions if we are to find a way forward," he stressed. The Commissioner described the air traffice situation as "unprecedented" and noted that "it is not sustainable for long ,for many days." Kallas said 80% of European airports are closed and 85% of flights were cancelled yesterday. He noted that the economic consequences of the airspace closure is even more than the 11/9 impact, but stressed that responsibility of passengers lies with airlines to take ...
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