It appears that British Airways, like many other European airlines, feels that the closing of UK airports is not necessary. Of course, experts say that British Airways would say this since the ban is costing hem some £15 million to £20 million a day.

British Airways went on to prove their case with a successful British Airways test flight through parts of the no-fly zones around the UK. The carrier believes that this shows that the restrictions are not necessary.

The chief executive of British Airways, Willie Walsh, said that he joined a flight crew on board a Boeing 747 test flight that set out just earlier this week from Heathrow. The plane went out into the Atlantic before landing safely at Cardiff.

British Airways said that analysis of the flight had revealed no variations in the aircraft’s normal flight operational performance. In particular, the aircraft’s black box flight data recorder showed that all four engines had performed without fault for the duration of the flight.

The plane itself flew as high as 40,000 feet for two hours and 46 minutes. Mr Walsh said that the analysis that they have found so far, alongside that from other airlines, shows that the restrictions are not necessary. He said that they believe that airlines are best positioned to assess all available information and determine what, if any, risk exists to aircraft, crew and passengers.

Mr Walsh went on to say that, since airspace was closed on Thursday, their assessment is that the risk has been minimal and can be managed by alternative procedures to maintain the highest, safest standards. Airlines call on the government urgently to adopt new policies that would allow them to resume flying.