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Mr Nicholson explained: "In conjunction with Met Office forecasts it enabled us to open airspace where there were low levels of ash."

"The work that happened very quickly at the time around the event got us to 90% of where we are now…but that has been consolidated and put into specific safety measures," Mr Nicholson said.

"If something similar happened today, it will be up to the airlines to use their own permissions from the engine manufacturers and their own safety cases to decide where and when, based on forecasts, will allow them to go," Mr Nicholson added.

Experts believe that if the 2010 volcanic ash event happened today there would be "nowhere near the same level, if any, disruption" according to both Dr Hort and Mr Nicholson, largely because we now know that the level of ash seen in UK airspace in 2010 was relatively low and safe to fly in.

If a volcano erupted with really high levels of ash affecting UK or European airspace, then "absolutely we will see disruption because it's a safety issue", added Mr Nicholson.