Volcano ’11
13 months after Volcano ’10, it is time for its sequel: Volcano ’11
Last year it had starring Eyjafjallajokull, this year Grimsvotn. Both of Icelandic origins. Both virile and powerful.
Volcano ’10 knew its success thanks to a spree of bad luck, which blew its plume down SW, an uncoordinate European scene, where everyone tried to put the responsiblity on everyone else and where, if it wasn’t for Eurocontrol, it could have ended much worse, and on regulation and on airlines which were not prepared for the event.
Now, 13 months later, Europe has a Network Manager, and service providers, national regulators and airlines should have had time to learn from last year’s shortcomings, will the situation be better? (Note: there is no magical solution for major bad luck)
As I am writing, there are no immediate airspace closures to be announced, however there are some reports prediciting possible closures of UK, French and Spanish airspace starting from Tuesday 24th of May, should eruptions continue with similar intensity. Extract from Eurocontrol Network Operations’ Portal: https://www.public.cfmu.eurocontrol.int/PUBPORTAL/gateway/spec/index.html
“CFMU have been adviced by Icelandic met office that there has been a volcanic eruption of volcano Grimsvotn in Iceland at 20110521 1900Z. The plume hight estimated by radar 15-17 km.
ASH CLOUD IS EXPECTED TO REACH NORTH SCOTLAND ON TUEDSDAY 24TH MAY.
IF VOLCANIC EMISSIONS CONTINUE WITH SAME INTENSITY CLOUD MIGHT
REACH WEST FRENCH AIRSPACE AND NORTH SPAIN ON THURSDAY 26TH MAY.
NO AIRSPACE CLOSURES ARE EXPECTED FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW EXCEPT IN ICELANDIC AIRSPACE/AERODROMES.”
