The economic cost of the disruption from the ash cloud here is running at around €500m a week.
All Irish airports are closed until at least lunchtime today, causing misery for passengers and forcing a rush on alternative travel arrangements.
The financial impact of the ash cloud on the already pressurised airline industry is expected to be enormous.
There is some speculation that the week's events could speed up the takeover of Aer lingus by Ryanair.