Airlines on new ash alert
Ash from the latest volcanic explosion in Iceland is expected to reach Scotland by tomorrow morning and drift across the rest of the UK later in the week, but authorities say they are not expecting it to disrupt flights.
Icelandic authorities closed the country’s international airport on Sunday following an eruption of the Grimsvotn volcano which was described as "bigger and more intensive" than the Eyjafjallajokull eruption that led more than 63,000 flights being grounded April last year.
However, authorities say the latest eruption is not likely to cause as much disruption as there is little wind to spread the ash. Also, as it is coarser than the Eyjafjallajokull ash, it is falling back to the ground quicker rather than floating long distances.
Eurocontrol, Europe’s air traffic control organisation, said airlines were being kept informed of the situation but it was not expecting the eruption to have any impact on European or transatlantic flights, at least for the rest of today.
The Civil Aviation Authority said it was monitoring the situation and working closely with colleagues at NATS (UK air traffic control) and the Met Office to ascertain where the ash clouds are heading.
"We will be discussing matters with UK airlines during the course of the day and updating the travelling public on the situation," said a spokesman.
"We do not envisage the same kind of blanket closures of airspace we experienced last year. Airlines will be able to operate in lower concentrations of ash providing they can present us with a safety case."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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