EC: No Widespread Flight Disruptions over New Volcanic Ash from Iceland

European Transport commissioner Estonian Siim Kallas gives a news conference on the latest developement on volcanic ash air flight disruption in Brussels, 24 May 2011. EPA/BGNES

The European Commission does not expect a widespread closure of the European air space as a result of the eruption of a new volcano in Iceland, after a year ago a volcanic ash cloud disrupted European air traffic.

Europe is better equipped to deal with the latest volcanic ash cloud crisis than it was a year ago, and widespread airspace closures are not anticipated this time, according to European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas, as quoted by Flightglobal.

The ash cloud resulting from the eruption of Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano on 21 May has so far led to flight disruptions across Scotland.

However, Kallas pointed out that the volcano, the ash, the weather and "most importantly the European response" are different from the crisis that followed the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano in April 2010.

"Whilst fully respecting the imperative of safety, Europe is now equipped to respond with a graduated response rather than a one size fits all approach. This should avoid blanket closure of our airspace," Kallas is quoted as saying.

"Although we are partly dependent on the weather and the pattern of ash dispersion, we do not at this stage anticipate the widespread airspace closures and the prolonged disruption we saw last year," said Kallas.

The European Commission has issued formal guidance to member states and the final decision on whether to open or close airspace remains with national authorities.

The EC Vice President, however, warned that the weather might play an important part.

"We obviously do not have any control over weather patterns and things might change. Our assessment so far is that there will not be any closures similar to last year but we are on the alert. It will be a difficult week for passengers and airline companies," he warned.

Commissioner Kallas said that until noon, a total of 252 flights were canceled, primarily those arriving and departing from Scotland.