More than 100,000 flights affected so far

EUROCONTROL: European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation - Statement issued on Wednesday April 21 1pm UAE Time

EUROCONTROL expects approximately 21,000 flights to take place today in European airspace. On a normal Wednesday, we would expect 28,000.

Thus approximately 75% of the total number of flights are expected to take place in Europe today.

By the end of today, we expect that over 100,000 flights in total will have been cancelled since Thursday 15 April.

The new procedures agreed on Monday 19 April have been in place since Tuesday 20 April at 06.00 UTC.

At the current time, all European airspace is available above 20,000 feet.

Almost all of European airspace below 20,000 feet is available and air traffic services are being provided, although restrictions are still in force in some areas, including southern Sweden and Helsinki (Finland). It is anticipated that these restrictions will gradually be lifted throughout the day.

The next update will be sent out to the press around 18:30 CET on 21 April.

UK MET Office Statement at 9:45am UK Time Wednesday April 21 2010

Overnight most of the UK’s airspace has been available with the exception of an area over the north west of Scotland which has continued to be affected by a dense concentration of volcanic ash.  We continue to work with the latest information and guidance from our safety regulator, the CAA, the Met Office and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre on the predicted movements of the area of dense volcanic ash.  Based on the latest information, we anticipate that this area will continue to centre on the north west of Scotland and may extend further south into Scottish airspace during today.

Between the period of 0100 – 0700 on 21 April NATS handled 130 flights in airspace over England and Wales and 35 flights in Scottish airspace (including Northern Ireland).  We are in regular contact with the UK airports and airline operators to understand the latest information on flights entering UK airspace and our operation is ready to respond to an increase in demand.

Passengers should contact their airlines to find out how the current situation will affect their travel plans. We anticipate being able to provide a further update late this afternoon.

Earlier News - NATS 9:15pm UK Time April 20

The Met Office acknowledges the decision by CAA to change the engine tolerance levels for the safe levels of ash ingestion into aircraft engines.

The Met Office is the north-west European Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre with responsibility for issuing the Volcanic Ash Advisories for this area in line with internationally agreed standards and processes as designated by the aviation regulator and industry.

We will now provide timely advice to NATS about the dispersion of the volcanic ash in line with the new engine tolerance criteria.

Eruptions from Eyjafjallajökull have continued through today with debris being emitted up to 4 to 5 km for much of the time. Weather patterns continue to blow areas of ash towards the UK.

The Met Office uses multiple dispersion models endorsed by the international meteorological community. The output from the Met Office volcanic ash dispersion model has been compared with our neighbouring VAACs in Canada and France since the beginning of this incident and the results are consistent.

NATS: The UK's leading Air Navigation Services Provider's latest statement issued on Tuesday April 20, 20:40 UK Time:

NATS has received new direction from the UK’s safety regulator, the CAA, on applying restrictions to UK airspace following the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

As soon as revised accurate information is available from the Met Office on the location of the dense ash cloud, NATS will review airspace availability and provide an update to airline operators on any airspace that has been restricted for safety reasons. We will issue a further statement by 2200.

Earlier NATS News: April 20 7pm Dubai Time

The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation will continue to be variable.

Based on the latest Met Office information, part of Scottish and Northern Irish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1900 today to 0100 tomorrow, Wednesday 21 April, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Glasgow and Teesside airports will additionally become available in this time period. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.

Flights above the ash cloud are now permitted in the UK; between 1900 today and 0100 tomorrow, this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and the situation is likely to change during the course of the day. We will make a further statement at approximately 2100 today.

NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace.

We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

Earlier EUROCONTROL News Tuesday April 20 at 20:30 (UAE Time):

EUROCONTROL expects 13,000 flights to take place today in European airspace. On a normal Tuesday, we would expect 28,000.

The new procedures agreed yesterday have been in place since 06.00UTC today. At the current time, in the upper airspace above 20,000 feet, all European airspace is available with the exception of Finland which is closed at all levels.

Almost 75% of the total continent area is free of any restrictions. This area includes: Austria, the Balkan area, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, southern France, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Romania, northern Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine.

Air traffic control services are not being provided to civil aircraft in significant parts of the lower airspace primarily in north-western Europe, including Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Sweden and the UK.

Air traffic control services are being provided albeit with very significant restrictions on the number of flights authorised, and/or the routes and flight procedures to be followed, in several parts of the lower airspace in north-western Europe, including Germany and northern France.

Earlier Eurocontrol News 1300 UAE Time

EUROCONTROL expects 14,000 flights to take place today in European airspace, representing half of scheduled air traffic. On a normal Tuesday, we would expect between 27,000 and 28,000.

By the end of today, we expect that more than 95,000 flights in total will have been cancelled since Thursday 15 April.

The new procedures agreed yesterday have been in place since 06.00UTC. At the current time, air traffic control services are not being provided to civil aircraft, or are being provided with significant restrictions, in the lower airspace primarily in north-western Europe, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, north France, north Italy, Latvia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine and UK. In the upper airspace above 20,000 feet, all European airspace is available.

50% of the total number of flights are expected to take place today in Europe, representing 75% of the total continent area. This area includes: Austria, the Balkan area, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, parts of Italy and France, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Romania, northern Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

Above you can find the links to the latest updated map of observed and forecast areas of possible ash contamination and the ‘Air Ash Concentration Chart’ describing those areas where no-fly zone proposals have been made to the EUROCONTROL Member States.

The next update will be sent out to the press around 20.00 CET on 20 April 2010.  

Earlier News from NATS:April 20 1pm UAE Time

The situation regarding the volcanic eruption in Iceland remains dynamic and the latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation today will continue to be variable.

 

Based on the latest Met Office information, part of Scottish airspace including Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh airports will continue to be available from 1300-1900 today, and also south to Newcastle Airport. Restrictions will remain in place over the rest of UK airspace below 20,000ft.

 

Overnight the CAA, in line with new guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) decided flights above the ash cloud will be permitted in the UK; between 1300-1900 this will enable aircraft movements above 20,000ft in UK airspace.

 

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and the situation is likely to change during the course of the day. We will make a further statement at approximately 1500.

 

NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace.

 

We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

Earlier News from NATS: April 19 12:45pm

The Met Office advises that the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano is now less active than previously. NATS advises that the current restrictions across UK controlled airspace due to the volcanic ash cloud will remain in place until at least 0100 (local) on Tuesday 20 April.

Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic. We will continue to monitor the location of this ash cloud and look for opportunities to get aircraft moving again, whilst of course maintaining safety.

NATS is maintaining dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace.

In the meantime, we continue to work closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

Anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

The next update will be issued at approximately 1500 (local).

 

Earlier News from NATS Monday April 19, 0830 GMT:

Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the current restrictions across UK controlled airspace due to the volcanic ash cloud will remain in place until at least 0100 (UK time) on Tuesday 20th April.

Anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic. NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace. We are currently awaiting CAA guidance.

We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

The next update will be issued at approximately 1500 (UK time) today.

 

Earlier News from NATS Monday April 19,  0001 am UAE Time

Based on the latest information from the UK Met Office, NATS advises that the current restrictions across UK controlled airspace due to the volcanic ash cloud will remain in place until at least 1900 (local time) on Monday 19 April.

There may currently be some limited opportunities in Shetland for flights, subject to individual co-ordination with ATC. However, anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic. NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK's safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace. We are currently awaiting CAA guidance.

We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

The next update will be issued at approximately 0300 (local time) on Monday April 19.

Earlier News from NATS 6pm UAE Time April 18

Conditions around the movement of the layers of the volcanic ash cloud over the UK remain dynamic. NATS is maintaining close dialogue with the Met Office and with the UK’s safety regulator, the CAA, in respect of the international civil aviation policy we follow in applying restrictions to use of airspace. We are currently awaiting CAA guidance.

We are working closely with Government, airports and airlines, and airframe and aero engine manufacturers to get a better understanding of the effects of the ash cloud and to seek solutions.

Based on the latest information from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Monday 19 April.

We will of course continue to make best use of any breaks in the ash cloud to offer opportunities to airlines as they arise. There may be limited opportunity in Orkney and Shetland from 1900 (local time) today for some flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC.  However, it is most unlikely that many flights will operate today and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that.   We will advise further arrangements at approximately 2100 (local time), today.

Earlier News from EUROCONTROL, April 19, 2010 at 10.30 CET:

    
EUROCONTROL expects between 8,000-9,000 flights to take place today in European airspace. On a normal Monday, we would expect 28,000.

At the current time, air traffic control services are not being provided to civil aircraft in the major part of European airspace. This includes Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, parts of France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, northern Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, parts of Ukraine and the UK.

In some of these areas the upper airspace has been made available, depending on the observed and forecasted area of possible ash contamination. However, it is difficult to access this airspace as in most cases the surrounding area is not available for flights.

Approximately 30% of the total number of flights are expected to take place today in Europe, representing 50% of the total continent area. Southern Europe - including Portugal, Spain, parts of Italy and France, the Balkan area, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, as well as parts of northern Europe (Norway and parts of Sweden) are currently open to civil traffic.

Earlier News April 18, 2010 12:30 CET :

 

EUROCONTROL expects approximately 4,000 flights to take place today (Sunday) in European airspace. On a normal Sunday, we would expect 24,000. By the end of today, we expect that more than 63,000 flights in total will have been cancelled since Thursday 15 April.

At the current time, air traffic control services are not being provided to civil aircraft in the major part of European airspace. This includes Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, most of France, most of Germany, Hungary, Ireland, northern Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, north Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK. In some of these areas the upper airspace has been made available, depending on the observed and forecasted area of possible ash contamination. However, it is difficult to access this airspace as in most cases the surrounding area is not available for flights.

Southern Europe, including parts of Spain, Portugal, the southern Balkan area, southern Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey remain open and flights are taking place in these areas.

The next update will be sent out to the press around 18:30 CET on 18 April.

Earlier News April 17 16:30 CET

 

EUROCONTROL expects approximately 5,000 flights to take place today in European airspace. On a normal Saturday, we would expect 22,000. Yesterday, 16 April, there were 10,400 flights compared to the normal 28,000.

There are restrictions on civil flights across most of northern and central Europe. This includes Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, most of France, most of Germany, Hungary, Ireland, northern Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK. In some of these areas the upper airspace has been made available, depending on the observed and forecasted area of ash contamination. However, it is difficult to access this airspace as in most cases the surrounding area is not available for flights.

EUROCONTROL, the air navigation service providers and the airlines are working closely together to ensure that whenever airspace becomes available, even if it is only for a short time, flights are able to take place in the most efficient and safe manner.

The next update will be sent out to the press around 12:30 CET on 18 April.