Volcano disrupts city flights

A spokesperson for City of Derry Airport said the volcanic ash cloud in UK airspace had resulted in the cancellation of flights RE281 and RE282 from Londonderry to Dublin.

All other flights were operating as normal and passengers were advised to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport.

“The decision whether or not to fly will be made by individual airlines based on Civil Aviation Authority guidance in conjunction with aircraft manufacturers’ advice.

“City of Derry Airport will provide updates to the above information when further information comes available,” the spokesperson said.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) described the eruption of Grímsvötn that began over the weekend as a “significant eruption” and the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) yesterday reported ash continuing to be ejected to a height of 10km.

The CAA said that new arrangements put in place since last year’s volcanic ash cloud would ensure high levels of public safety while helping to limit any disruption in the event that volcanic ash reaches UK airspace this week.

Since last year’s volcanic ash crisis, measures have been put in place to ensure preparedness for a similar event.

Areas of high, medium and low density ash will be identified using information provided by the Met Office’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.

This is based on data provided from the source of the volcano, satellite, and weather balloons, as well as ground based instrumentation such as radar.

Information on the high and medium density zones will be communicated to the aviation industry by means of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

Any UK airline wishing to operate in areas of medium or high density ash, will need to have a safety case accepted by the CAA. Many airlines already have such safety cases in place and agreed for medium density. None has so far submitted a safety case to operate in high density ash.

A safety case sets out the measures airlines will put in place to mitigate the risk of flying through ash.

They also include input from aircraft and engine manufacturers.

Safety cases have been used by airlines for many years to set out how they will safely deal with other unusual or challenging issues.

More information is available at the volcanic ash section of the CAA website at www.caa.co.uk/news.