The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has warned of possible disruption to flights in the UK and Ireland as a result of the Grimsvotn volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Current weather patterns suggest that volcanic ash could reach Scotland from 24 May and affect other parts of the UK and Ireland later in the week, said the regulator.
It added that while the precise impact of the airborne ash would depend on weather patterns and the intensity of the Grimsvotn eruption, airlines were in a better position to cope than during 2010's volcanic ash crisis, which closed huge swathes of European airspace.
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Areas of low, medium and high density ash will be identified and many UK airlines now have safety cases in place detailing measures they would take to mitigate the risk of flying through ash.
Many airlines have had their safety cases approved for flying through medium density ash, although none has so far submitted a case for operating in areas of high density ash.
"We can't rule out disruption," said CAA chief executive Andrew Haines. "But the new arrangements that have been put in place since last year's ash cloud mean the aviation sector is better prepared and will help to reduce any disruption in the event that volcanic ash affects UK airspace."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
