Easyjet urges airlines to install ash detectors
EasyJet is calling on airlines to work together to create a system to detect volcanic ash in European airspace and avoid a repeat of last year’s disruption caused by the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
The low-cost carrier said it has been working with a Norwegian scientist to develop an Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector (AVOID) system, but it needs support for the initiative from other carriers.
So far, it has been in discussion with 10 UK airlines but none have yet committed to the project.
AVOID, which has been created by Dr Fred Prata of the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, is essentially a weather radar for volcanic ash. Aircraft are fitted with infrared equipment that can see an ash cloud up to 100kms ahead and at altitudes between 5,000ft and 50,000ft, allowing pilots to alter their flight path.
On the ground, information from aircraft with AVOID technology would be used to build an accurate image of the volcanic ash cloud using real time data. This would open up large areas of airspace that would otherwise be closed during a volcanic eruption, which would benefit passengers by minimising disruption, said easyJet.
EasyJet is seeking certification for AVOID from the European Aviation Safety Agency and it has applied to the European Commission for funding for further research, including flying the equipment close to volcanic ash.
However, the airline believes 100 aircraft across Europe would have to be fitted with the equipment to provide comprehensive coverage of the continent and for the system to be viable. EasyJet plans to install the equipment on 20 of its aircraft, but it needs support from other airlines to take the project forward.
EasyJet head of engineering Ian Davies said: “Last winter we were told that the heavy snowfall was a once in a lifetime event and then it happened again ten months later. We can’t predict exactly when another volcano will erupt and send an ash cloud into European airspace but we can say with certainty that it will happen at some stage.
“Our industry is better prepared today that it was last year but we need to go further. EasyJet is playing its part by working closely with Dr. Fred Prata and his team to progress the development of the AVOID technology, and we call for more support from the rest of the industry for this and other new solutions to deal with the volcanic threat.”
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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