Air transport industry representatives are battling to reach agreement with regulators on methods to reduce disruption from volcanic ash, as airlines grow increasingly sceptical over the need for airspace closure.
UK airports are suffering from disruption again this week as weather conditions transport ash from the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull southwards.
Disruption has extended to the London area, with Eurocontrol declaring London Gatwick arrivals as zero-rated and limiting departures to specific directions.
London Heathrow is also affected, with the Ockham holding stack - one of four used by the hub - falling within the 'no-fly' zone, and southwest departures restricted. Eurocontrol is warning of "significant delays".
Airspace closures are also affecting traffic in Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Carriers have grown increasingly vocal over the need to shut airspace, with the Association of European Airlines stating that thousands of flights in Europe have shown "no sign" of volcanic ash contamination and declaring that its members have "lost confidence" in the ability of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in London to generate reliable information.
The association says the French Government has been basing its decisions on data from verification flights and meteorological offices. "The VAAC cannot continue to rely on simulations," it adds. "Closure of airspace cannot be based merely on a forecast of ash presence."
In an effort to agree a unified approach on the matter, the UK Civil Aviation Authority last week hosted a conference to bring together interested parties from across the air transport spectrum - including the European Commission, national airworthiness authorities, several airlines, airframers and engine manufacturers - to explain current scientific thinking and explore alternative strategies.
CAA chief executive Andrew Haines says the various sides must balance the pressures of minimising disruption and maintaining safety. Decisions taken must be "proportionate and based on sound evidence", he says.
The CAA attributes the chaos to an "unprecedented combination" of the nature and duration of the volcanic eruption and the weather patterns.
"Since the initial UK airspace closure [in April] there has been massive effort from all parties to improve understanding of the situation and develop methods to reduce disruption," it adds.
It says it has agreed to "facilitate a task force" to give airframers and engine manufacturers a forum to collaborate and find ways to reduce disruption further.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
