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26/05/2011
Flight Disruption Eases Off - 'Weekend Clear'
The volcano Grimsvötn has currently paused its eruptions and the Met Office modelling indicates that significant disruption between now and the end of the weekend is unlikely, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said.
Earlier this week, airline passengers in the UK and Ireland were facing major flight disruption due to drifting ash from the Icelandic volcanic eruption. Airlines including Easyjet, KLM and BA had suspended their services in and out of Scotland, with some English airports also being affected, but these have since resumed.
Now, to help further reduce future disruption that could be caused if there are further eruptions or if the ash cloud returns to UK airspace, the Transport Secretary has held discussions with the two largest UK airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Met Office and NATS.
The Transport Secretary confirmed that progress has been made in several key areas.
Test aircraft have been flying to measure the density of the ash cloud, providing information to the Met Office to help refine the input data for its model.
British Airways and Easyjet have also agreed to work with the CAA and the Met Office to provide information from their flights to help improve the model's input data, with the aim of reducing the 'red zone' as much as possible.
Furthermore, the Transport Secretary has asked NATS and the CAA to draw up procedures to allow flights to arrive and depart from the UK beneath the ash cloud and then gain altitude once they are safely clear of the 'red zone' - a technique known as 'underflying' - should the ash cloud return at high altitude.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: "The new regime that we have established since last year has already significantly reduced disruption for passengers and airlines. If we still had the old regime in place, the whole of UK airspace would have been effectively closed for parts of yesterday.
"I am pleased that, following discussions with the industry and regulators today, we have agreed further steps to reduce potential disruption, should the ash cloud return.
"Test aircraft are now flying through the ash cloud gathering information about its density, BA and Easyjet have agreed to provide further information to help us define the 'red zone' even more accurately in the future, and key steps have been taken to establish a new 'underflying' regime for UK airports."
Following meetings with British Airways and Easyjet, the two largest British airlines, Mr Hammond said: "We are constantly refining our ash forecasting methods and are keen to collect as much data as possible to help with this. Yesterday, satellite and lidar readings confirmed the presence of ash over Scotland and northern England, several aircraft made reports of encounters with ash to the Met Office and ash deposits were also found on aircraft and on vehicles in Orkney.
"I welcome the support of airlines who want to help us gather further data and I am pleased that British Airways and Easyjet, as the two largest UK carriers, have agreed to participate in this process," he said, earlier this week.
See: Volcanic Ash Cloud Causes Flight Distruption
(BMcC/GK)
Earlier this week, airline passengers in the UK and Ireland were facing major flight disruption due to drifting ash from the Icelandic volcanic eruption. Airlines including Easyjet, KLM and BA had suspended their services in and out of Scotland, with some English airports also being affected, but these have since resumed.
Now, to help further reduce future disruption that could be caused if there are further eruptions or if the ash cloud returns to UK airspace, the Transport Secretary has held discussions with the two largest UK airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Met Office and NATS.
The Transport Secretary confirmed that progress has been made in several key areas.
Test aircraft have been flying to measure the density of the ash cloud, providing information to the Met Office to help refine the input data for its model.
British Airways and Easyjet have also agreed to work with the CAA and the Met Office to provide information from their flights to help improve the model's input data, with the aim of reducing the 'red zone' as much as possible.
Furthermore, the Transport Secretary has asked NATS and the CAA to draw up procedures to allow flights to arrive and depart from the UK beneath the ash cloud and then gain altitude once they are safely clear of the 'red zone' - a technique known as 'underflying' - should the ash cloud return at high altitude.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: "The new regime that we have established since last year has already significantly reduced disruption for passengers and airlines. If we still had the old regime in place, the whole of UK airspace would have been effectively closed for parts of yesterday.
"I am pleased that, following discussions with the industry and regulators today, we have agreed further steps to reduce potential disruption, should the ash cloud return.
"Test aircraft are now flying through the ash cloud gathering information about its density, BA and Easyjet have agreed to provide further information to help us define the 'red zone' even more accurately in the future, and key steps have been taken to establish a new 'underflying' regime for UK airports."
Following meetings with British Airways and Easyjet, the two largest British airlines, Mr Hammond said: "We are constantly refining our ash forecasting methods and are keen to collect as much data as possible to help with this. Yesterday, satellite and lidar readings confirmed the presence of ash over Scotland and northern England, several aircraft made reports of encounters with ash to the Met Office and ash deposits were also found on aircraft and on vehicles in Orkney.
"I welcome the support of airlines who want to help us gather further data and I am pleased that British Airways and Easyjet, as the two largest UK carriers, have agreed to participate in this process," he said, earlier this week.
See: Volcanic Ash Cloud Causes Flight Distruption
(BMcC/GK)
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11 May 2010
Flight Disruption Continues To Hit Travellers
There was limited volcanic ash disruption to flights to and from the UK today. Scores of UK air passengers are still facing further delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud that has halted many European flights. Flights to and from parts of Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands have been affected after the countries closed their airspace.
Flight Disruption Continues To Hit Travellers
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06 May 2010
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Airports across the UK have reopened after the latest disruption to airspace caused by volcanic ash. The ash cloud moved west overnight and has cleared UK airspace, air traffic control body Nats said. Airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland was shut overnight after levels of volcanic ash had made it too unsafe to fly.
UK Airports Open But How Long Will It Last?
Airports across the UK have reopened after the latest disruption to airspace caused by volcanic ash. The ash cloud moved west overnight and has cleared UK airspace, air traffic control body Nats said. Airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland was shut overnight after levels of volcanic ash had made it too unsafe to fly.
20 April 2010
Airports Stay Closed Amid New Ash Cloud
Air passengers have been braced for further delays after warnings that a "new ash cloud" was spreading towards the UK as the volcano eruption in Iceland "strengthened". Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days.
Airports Stay Closed Amid New Ash Cloud
Air passengers have been braced for further delays after warnings that a "new ash cloud" was spreading towards the UK as the volcano eruption in Iceland "strengthened". Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
