MattGarnerStatement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Saturday April 17, 2045
The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. 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 at least 1300 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday 18 April.
We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 0300 (UK time), Sunday 18 April.
MattGarnerAnother update.
Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Saturday April 17, 0830
The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape. 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 at least 0100 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday 18 April.
We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficiently for us to make some airspace available within Scotland and Northern Ireland, which may enable some domestic flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC; we will be coordinating this closely with airlines and airports. It is most unlikely that many flights will operate today and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.
We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that. We will advise further arrangements at approximately 1500 (UK time).
MattGarnerSaturday April 17: Latest update at 0415 (UK Time)
Following the latest information from the MET Office, NATS advises that restrictions across UK controlled airspace have been extended until at least 1900 (UK Time) today Saturday 17 April and that restrictions to Scottish and Manchester airspace have been re-applied until the same time.
Current forecasts show that the situation is worsening throughout Saturday. We are continuing to look for windows of opportunity to handle individual flights in UK controlled airspace.
The next update will be at approximately 0900 (UK time) as planned.
Should see at 9am to see how its doing. I’m guessing it will be extended. 🙁
MattGarnerNATS UPDATE
Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Friday April 16, 2045
The volcanic ash cloud continues to affect UK airspace. Following the latest update from the Met Office, NATS advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 1300 (UK time) on Saturday April 17.
There are currently no airspace restrictions in Scotland, Northern Ireland and in an area over the North Sea that includes the Shetlands and Orkney Isles. Manchester, Liverpool and all airports North of those may be available from 0400 (UK time) – 1000 (UK time) for departures to and arrivals from the North and West subject to individual co-ordination. However, please be advised that the situation is continuously changing. Forecasts indicate that the ash cloud is expected to return over Northern England at 1000 (UK time) and it is likely that restrictions will be reintroduced.
Please note these arrangements do not mean that all flights will operate. Anyone hoping to travel today or tomorrow should contact their airline before going to the airport.
We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficiently for us to enable some flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC.
We will review further Met Office information and at 0900 (UK time) on Saturday we will advise further arrangements.
We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.
MattGarnerPerhaps we can now all see that the world actually does take its wrath back on the things living on it …
Given the earlier looking on radarvirtuel, I was shocked when I discovered that an Icelandair 757 was above Glasgow, heading back to Iceland …
Bristol_Rob also saw this as I told him via msn that it’s rather peculiar for an Icelandic airliner to be in the sky, given the circumstances …
I do thank Deano though for clarifying the situation a commercial carrier is in, and I can see perfectly why airlines have to, nay, must be grounded from airspace in and out of the UK.
The international airport on that island isn’t being affected. Due to how the wind is, it’s blowing it the other way so they can take off and so on.
MattGarnerNATS
Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Friday April 16, 1445
The cloud of volcanic ash continues to move south through the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues.
Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions preventing flights in controlled airspace over England and Wales will remain in place until 0700 (UK time) tomorrow, Saturday 17 April, at the earliest. From 1900 (UK time) today ATC restrictions will be lifted in a large part of Scottish airspace including Scottish airports, Shetland, Orkneys and also Northern Ireland.
On this basis, North Atlantic traffic can also operate to/from points in this airspace. Please note these arrangements do not mean that all flights will operate. Anyone hoping to travel today or tomorrow should contact their airline before going to the airport.
We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficient for us to enable some flights to operate under individual coordination with ATC. Some aircraft were able to operate at Manchester this morning, although restrictions are now reapplied to Manchester.
We hope there may be some opportunity from the north into Newcastle after 0100 (UK time) tomorrow – Saturday. We will review further Met Office information and at 2030 (UK time) we will advise further arrangements. In general, the situation is dynamic and subject to change.
We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.
MattGarnerStatement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Friday April 16, 0830
Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Friday April 16, 0830
The cloud of volcanic ash continues to cover much of the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues. Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions preventing flights in English controlled airspace will remain in place until 0100 (UK time) tomorrow, Saturday 17 April, at the earliest.
Flights in Northern Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland to and from Glasgow and Prestwick will continue to be allowed until 1900 (UK time) subject to individual co-ordination. North Atlantic traffic to and from Glasgow, Prestwick and Belfast may also be allowed in this period.
From 1900 (UK time), forecasts indicate that Scottish airspace may be able to accept domestic flights within Scotland and Northern/Southern Ireland, and North Atlantic flights to/from airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We will review further Met Office information and at 1330 (UK time) we will advise further arrangements. In general, the situation is dynamic and subject to change.
We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.
NATS
MattGarnerAccording to BBC news NATS say restrictions are in place until 7pm Friday.
They are correct. From that NAT’s website;
Statement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Friday April 16, 0230
The cloud of volcanic ash continues to cover much of the UK and the eruption in Iceland continues. Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions will remain in place in UK controlled airspace until 1900 (UK time) today, Friday 16 April, at the earliest.However, flights in Northern Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland to and from Glasgow and Prestwick may be allowed up to 1300 (UK time) today, subject to individual co-ordination. North Atlantic traffic to and from Glasgow, Prestwick and Belfast may also be allowed over the same period. We will review further Met Office information and at 0830 (UK time) we will advise the arrangements that will be in place until 0100 (UK time) on Saturday, 17 April.
In general, the situation cannot be said to be improving with any certainty as the forecast affected area appears to be closing in from east to west. We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.
MattGarnerStatement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 20:20
The cloud of volcanic ash continues to cover much of the UK. Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that restrictions will remain in place in UK controlled airspace until 1300 (UK time) tomorrow, Friday 16 April, at the earliest.
However, flights from Northern Ireland and the Western Isles of Scotland to and from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick may be allowed in the period from 0100 (UK time) to 1300 (UK time) tomorrow subject to individual co-ordination. North Atlantic traffic to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick and Belfast may also be allowed in the period.
We will review further Met Office information and at 0230 (UK time) tomorrow we will advise the arrangements that will be in place through to 1800 (UK time) tomorrow. However be aware that the situation cannot be said to be improving with any certainty as the forecast affected area appears to be closing in from east to west. We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.
NATS
MattGarnerWhy is it people disagree with me on this forum all the ruddy time!
I really think I should run for Parliament, it would be a breath of fresh air to Parliament! A new way of looking at the world
Maybe you should take the hint and realise that you are wrong.
MattGarnerWill NATS pay compensation to the thousands of people whose travel plans have been disrupted?
So your saying NATs are not allowed to shut down the airspace for safety reasons? Maybe you should go on a flight and fly into ash and see what happens. And IF anything does happen, NAT’s would probably get the blame. So yeah, good fight. <_<
MattGarnerAuthorities have no common sense they jump to wild conclusions then hide behind their ‘superior knowledge’.
Anyway in the very unlikely event of something strange happening the plane would do what that BA 747 did, as it will have flown into a much smaller ash cloud than the one encountered in Indonesia that day. Planes make great gliders!
May as well not have NATS. Because you think they don’t know anything LOL! :rolleyes:
MattGarnerOf course volcanic ash is distributed by the upper winds. Some will precipitate to the ground through weight, some through rainfall. Some will stay in the upper atmosphere for thousands of years, forming a thin layer of dust at very high altitudes (80km), mixed in with meteor and space debris. But it takes extremely powerful computer models to take all these factors into consideration, when the meteorological services come up with advice on which areas and flight levels the ash is likely affect.
In other words, armchair experts should give the real guys a break – they are doing their best in rare circumstances!
I think he was being sarcastic towards the other user…
MattGarnerStatement on Icelandic volcanic eruption: Thurs April 15, 14:00
The cloud of volcanic ash is now spread across the UK and continuing to travel south. In line with international civil aviation policy, no flights other than agreed emergencies are currently permitted in UK controlled airspace. Following a review of the latest Met Office information, NATS advises that these restrictions will remain in place in UK controlled airspace until 0600 tomorrow, Friday 16 April, at the earliest. We will review further Met Office information and at 2000 today (local) we will advise the arrangements that will be in place through to 1200 tomorrow.
We continue to work closely with airports, airlines, and the rest of Europe to understand and mitigate the implications of the volcanic eruption.
I really do think this is a massive over-reaction. I have still to hear a good reason why southbound flights are grounded.
Yeah because NATS would close the airspace for nothing. <_<
MattGarnerFrom MAN’s tweet:
“@redsmartie_ no you just have to pay for the car regardless of how many people in it!
about 6 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to redsmartie_”
Thanks for that information! 🙂
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