Leading article: Head in the ash cloud
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ryanair passengers are wearily resigned to being at war with the airline's owner, Michael O'Leary. They know that their cheap seats come at an ever-rising cost to their dignity and comfort.
In April last year, Mr O'Leary played true to form, refusing to pay the hotel and food costs of passengers grounded by Iceland's volcanic ash cloud until he was browbeaten into doing so. But when he rounded on the authorities and claimed that European airspace should not have been closed "because there was no ash cloud", there was something of a truce: he and his passengers had found a common enemy.
Yesterday, as another plume rose from Mount Eyjafjöll, the businessman was at it again, disparaging the "bureaucrats" and inveighing against a ban on flying.
"If you see a big volcanic cloud you don't fly into it," said the voice of reason. Last month, however, researchers at the University of Copenhagen revealed that the particles of volcanic ash ejected by the volcano last year could indeed have brought down aircraft. The decision to close airspace, they concluded, was the right one.
Mr O'Leary has always vaunted Ryanair's safety record. It is regrettable to see him willing to risk even that for ever greater profits.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments