It became increasingly clear over the weekend that the great airline crisis of 2010 could not go on. First, there was the question of whether there was actually any danger from the ash cloud. Second, it was clearly possible to fly below or above the cloud, yet all airspace in many European countries had been closed.

Now, there is a report that England’s airspace could be opened early Tuesday morning. It comes from the Guardian of London, among other sources:

Air traffic controllers may be able to start opening UK airspace tomorrow, the transport secretary, Lord Adonis, said todayas British Airways reported that results of airline test flights without passengers provided "fresh evidence that the current blanket restrictions on airspace are unnecessary".

The National Air Transport Service (Nats) was expected to update its advice this afternoon – a no-fly zone is at present expected to last until at least 1am tomorrow – but Adonis, who has been in constant contact with forecasters, air traffic bodies and European colleagues, said: "It may be possible to start opening UK airspace tomorrow."

In an interview on Sky News, Adonis said there had been a "dramatic decrease" in the volcano's activity.

He added: "It may be possible to start opening some UK airspace tomorrow."

The key to ending the crisis will be the response of other nations. Airlines have been sending test flights up and they report no problems flying through the ash cloud, so the pressure everywhere is to get the flights going and bring people home from overseas, as well as allowing Americans and others to return.

The whole affair appears, on the surface, to have been a case of over reaction before the actual threat from the ash cloud had been fully accessed. Once England closed its airports last week and the cloud spread eastward, the other air traffic control officials followed their lead.

The TerryReport will be posting details about the probable end to the crisis throughout the day, but the “breaking news” will be coming from Europe.

4.19.10

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FROM THE NY TIMES: (4.19)

We are far enough into this crisis to express our dissatisfaction on how governments have managed it, with no risk assessment, no consultation and no leadership,”said Giovanni Bisignani, the director general and chief executive of the International Air Transport Association.