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Flights continue despite ash found in RAF jet

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed it is safe to operate civilian flights, despite volcanic ash being found in the engine of an RAF jet.


Training flights on RAF Typhoons in Lincolnshire have been suspended and the fleet is being checked at its base in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.


An RAF spokesman said the Typhoons were “very high performance jets” so staff were “just being extra cautious”.


The news comes as thousands of Brits stranded abroad during six days of airport closures begin to make their way home.


The CAA has told the BBC that no conclusions should be drawn from the RAF statement. It said military aircraft fly much faster and suck in far more air than their civilian counterparts.


It said the work done with manufacturers to clear the UK for flying again did not factor in military jets, which are “a whole different world”.

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