As Iceland released worsening ash, you'd each head for the Channel (6)

I believe the answer is:

airway

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'for the channel' is the definition.
(airway is a kind of channel)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for airway that I've seen before include "Breathing passage" , "Ventilation passage" , "breathing space" , "Regular route of aircraft" , "radio channel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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