In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Wednesday April 21, 09:45

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.

Where is the ash cloud?

Please see below the latest forecast map showing the area of the ash cloud. The red area indicates the ash cloud is below 20,000 ft. Blue and green areas indicate the ash cloud is above 20,000 ft.  European ATC authorities have now permitted operators to fly through the ash cloud, though restrictions and special procedures must be observed.

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In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 23:00

NATS welcomes new CAA guidance and reopens airspace

We are delighted to report that most restrictions on UK airspace began to be lifted at 2134 (local time) this evening, following new guidance from the UK’s safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority on restrictions to UK airspace as a result of the volcanic eruption.

Air traffic control services have resumed in the UK with the exception of an area over the north west of Scotland which continues to be affected by a dense concentration of volcanic ash. Based on current information this situation is not expected to change overnight. The situation continues to be dynamic as a result of changing weather conditions and the prediction of dense areas of volcanic ash. NATS will continue to monitor the latest Met Office and VAAC information and the CAA’s updates on the availability of UK airspace.

This brings to an end a period of disruption and uncertainty for air passengers. Our operation is fully staffed and already responding to the backlog of flights entering UK airspace. We will be working with the airlines and airports to resume normal operations as soon as possible.

Due to the scale of the disruption, it will take some time for flights to resume normal operations and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information about flights.

There are no further operational changes expected overnight and on this basis our next update will be at 0900 (local time) on 21 April.

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In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 15:00

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.

Where is the ash cloud?

Please see below the latest forecast map showing the area of the ash cloud. The red area indicates no take off or landing, as the ash cloud is below 20,000 ft. However, it may be possible to overfly these areas at an altitude greater than 20,000 ft. Blue and green areas indicate the ash cloud is above 20,000 ft, and so no overflights are possible.

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In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 09:00

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.

Where is the ash cloud?

Please see below the latest forecast map showing the area of the ash cloud. The red area indicates no take off or landing, as the ash cloud is below 20,000 ft. However, it may be possible to overfly these areas at an altitude greater than 20,000 ft. Blue and green areas indicate the ash cloud is above 20,000 ft, and so no overflights are possible.

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In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 02:45

Since our last statement at 2100 (local time) yesterday, the volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK. This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working.

Latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation is variable. The information shows that Scottish airsports should be available from 0700 (local time) and more airspace over England may become available from 1300 (local time) although not as far south as the main London airports.

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 0900 (local time), today, Tuesday 20 April.

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.

Where is the ash cloud?

Please see below the latest forecast map showing the area of the ash cloud. The red area indicates no take off or landing, as the ash cloud is below 20,000 ft. However, it may be possible to overfly these areas at an altitude greater than 20,000 ft. Blue and green areas indicate the ash cloud is above 20,000 ft, and so no overflights are possible.

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In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Monday April 19, 22:00

Since our last statement at 1530 today, the volcano eruption in Iceland has strengthened and a new ash cloud is spreading south and east towards the UK.  This demonstrates the dynamic and rapidly changing conditions in which we are working.

Latest information from the Met Office shows that the situation is worsening in some areas.  Based on this information, the situation for Northern Irish airports for the morning is uncertain, due to the new ash cloud.  The latest information shows that Scottish airports should be available from 0700 and more airspace over England may become available from 1300 although not as far south as the main London airports.

We will continue to monitor Met Office information and the situation is likely to change overnight.   We will make a further statement at approximately 0300 (local time), tomorrow, Tuesday 20 April and again at 0900 (local time).

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.

Where is the ash cloud?

Please see below the latest forecast map showing the area of the ash cloud.  The red area indicates no take off or landing, as the ash cloud is below 20,000 ft.  However, it may be possible to overfly these areas at an altitude greater than 20,000 ft.  Blue and green areas indicate the ash cloud is above 20,000 ft, and so no overflights are possible.

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In this post we will keep you updated on the latest information from the National Air Traffic Contol Service (NATS) and the Met Office regarding the Volcanic Ash situation currently affecting UK airspace.

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Monday April 19, 15:30

The volcanic eruption has reduced and the volcano is not currently emitting ash to altitudes that will affect the UK. Assuming there are no further significant ash emissions we are now looking at a continuously improving situation.

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 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday.

From 0700 (local time) tomorrow, Tuesday, Scottish airspace will be open, and south to a line between Teesside and Blackpool. Mainland Scottish airports will be open.

This is a dynamic and changing situation and is therefore difficult to forecast beyond 0700 local; however, the latest Met Office advice is that the contaminated area will continue to move south with the possibility that restrictions to airspace above England and Wales, including the London area, may be lifted later tomorrow (Tuesday).

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.

It is now for airports and airlines to decide how best to utilise this opportunity. Passengers should contact their airlines to find out how this will affect their travel plans.

Where is the ash cloud?

Please see below the latest forecast map showing the area of the ash cloud. The red area indicates no take off or landing, as the ash cloud is below 20,000 ft. However, it may be possible to overfly these areas at an altitude greater than 20,000 ft. Blue and green areas indicate the ash cloud is above 20,000 ft, and so no overflights are possible.

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