"The type of attack I suffered doesn't leave any marks and there is no residual damage, " he added.

BBC: RELATED BBC SITES

The self-healing technologies did not restore the material to its pristine state -- "There is some residual damage, " he said.

CNN: The emerging world of self-healing materials

And the residual damage to both airports and schedules may continue to ripple across the air system for days to come.

FORBES: Hurricane Sandy Deals A Body Blow To Air Travel