EU makes test flights to assess volcanic ash
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Test flights are taking place in the Netherlands and other European countries to assess the impact of volcanic ash on plane parts, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said on Saturday. KLM will perform a test flight to Amsterdam from Duesseldorf on Saturday night as part of a series of tests across the European Union, ministry officials said.
Tests had already taken place in France and Belgium on Saturday, a Dutch ministry spokeswoman said. She said the flights were taking place at lower altitude than usual but did not know the exact altitude. No passengers would be on board. "We want to see what the damage could be to the engines," a second ministry spokeswoman said. (Reuters)
