There is optimism amongst the worldwide shipping community that some European flights will resume soon.

The giant ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano has made air transport impossible for international couriers since last Thursday, but restrictions may be coming to an end.

After British Airways (BA) flew a Boeing 747 for 3 hours with its chief executive on board, TNT's head of communications, David Walker, commented that BA are effectively saying "if it's safe enough for our top man, it's safe enough for the public."

However, whilst TNT and all other couriers wait for the air authorities to confirm that it's safe to resume flights, Mr Walker concedes that they "will be biding [their] time a little bit longer."