G-CIVT BAW84 YVR-LHR now coming in BEL-IOM-WAL. Wonder where he will start holding and G-VIIG BAW194 IAH-LHR looks like it is heading for France form the Lands End area

The one below it I think, the serial is quite visible

What data do the UK Met Office base THEIR data on – seems like its already been discredited as an inaccurate model.

None the less, it explains why some European airlines are flying and yet the UK isn’t. It also makes it understandable why UK airlines are pressuring to be allowed to fly again.

If Eurocontrol are proven right (and I sincerely hope they are), then as I said before heads need to roll at the Met Office and at NATS.

Andy

But you haven’t answered my question, which is what data do EUROCONTROL base their graphic on? And whilst I haven’t watched their briefing video what does their graphic actually puport to show (I know the title gives an indication)? There is no explanatory key so is this areas of high ash content and if so at what levels of concentration?

From the BBC…

BELGIUM – Airspace open. Limited service
BRITAIN – Airspace open over Scotland and Northern Ireland. Limited airspace over north of England. London airports closed
DENMARK – Airspace above 16,600ft open. No landings
FRANCE – Limited flights from Paris to international destinations. Most airports open
GERMANY – Airspace closed, with some exceptions, until 1800 GMT on Tuesday. Lufthansa planning to operate 200 flights
IRELAND – Airspace closed
ITALY – Airspace open. Handful of flights resumed in and out of Milan
NETHERLANDS – Airspace open. Passenger flights arriving and departing in Amsterdam
NORWAY – Airspace closed
POLAND – Airspace closed
SPAIN – Airspace open; all airports operating
SWEDEN – Airspace open over central-northern Sweden
SWITZERLAND – Airspace reopen

Seem to be quite a few KL flights going through London airspace right now, probably taking advantage of the relaxation on overflighte mentioned in the NATA press release

Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Tuesday April 20, 0900
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.

Appears to be a AMS-AMS flight

A Dutch Do228 PH-CGN is currently up and flying around Dutch airspace, presumably on monitoring flights

I see that the UK VAAC are predicting that the cloud (up to FL200) will reach the east coast of Canada sometime today.

http://metoffice.com/aviation/vaac/data/VAG_1271655414.png