Volcanic ash rules “not accurate enough”

The current EU rules for predicting volcanic ash concentrations are not accurate enough and lead to unnecessary closure of airspace, according to Bmi’s CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer. In a statement from the Lufthansa-owned carrier, Bmi’s CEO said: “Bmi, British Midland International is operating all flights as scheduled today, and as per current forecasts, does not foresee any cancellations in its network in the coming days. bmi has all operational procedures in place for a safe and sound operation. “It is becoming increasingly obvious that the current rules implemented in the EU in predicting volcanic ash concentrations are not accurate enough and lead to unnecessary closure of airspace affecting the travelling public. “The current theoretical model implemented in the EU is not adequate in the current circumstances because of its lack of empirical testing. The experience of other areas of the world with high volcanic activity has to be taken into account to bring European Air Traffic back to normal. “The airline industry is working through its representative industry bodies to keep disruptions for the travelling public to a minimum, commensurate with 100 per cent safety. The airline industry urges regulators to work much more closely with the industry.” European air traffic agency Eurocontrol said today that it expected approximately 28,500 flights within the European area today (Monday May 10), around 500 below the average for a Monday at this time of year. A statement released at 1000 CET this morning said: “Areas of high ash concentration have dispersed overnight over continental Europe. There is an area of ash cloud in the middle of the North Atlantic which is impacting transatlantic flights. While most of these flights are operating, many are having to make significant reroutings to avoid the area of ash cloud coverage, resulting in delays. “At the current time no airports are closed in Europe. According to the forecasts, during the afternoon, areas of higher ash concentration could move in a north-easterly direction from the Atlantic into the Iberian Peninsula.” For more information visit flybmi.com, eurocontrol.int. Report by Mark Caswell