BBC News - Volcanic ash incidents involving airliners
"The US Geological Survey says at least 102 aircraft encountered volcanic ash clouds between 1973 and 2003.
The risk is naturally greater when aircraft fly in areas of volcanic activity.
Studies suggest that ash from the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 was responsible for 20 incidents involving aircraft. One US airline grounded its aircraft at Manila for several days.
When Mount Popocatepetl in Mexico erupted in 1997, there was minor disruption to flights, with one crew experiencing such reduced visibility after landing they had to look through the flight deck's side windows to see where they were going."
Theses are big eruptions, with little commercial airline interruption and no fatalities.
Is the Icelandic event being overblown?
And if so why?
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