When will Eyjafjallajokull stop?

It's the million dollar question, or the multi-million dollar question if you're running an airline. When will our skies be clear of volcanic ash so flights can resume?

In a bid to get some insider information I contacted a Focus regular, Bill McGuire, director of the Aon Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre. I'm not the only one – he's been advising the government since the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland blew its lid.
Even if the skies are showing signs of clearing (as they were when I wrote this), the long term prognosis isn't encouraging. "Your guess is as good as mine re duration," was Bill's comment on the eruption. The only other time this volcano has exploded in recorded history, back in 1821, the eruption lasted for 14 months. "This one might do the same – or not," says Bill. Then it all comes down to the flow of air – whether it's pushing the volcanic dust in our direction. "Hopefully the northerly airstream will disappear soon and won't be around too much in the summer," Bill tells me. If it is, the Royal Navy could be in for a busy time.

Find out more

• Eyjafjallajokull ash cancels flights
• How 'stale' is the recycled air in a plane?