DFS: No take-offs or landings until Monday, 14:00 hrs
18-Apr-2010 Due to the current development of the weather conditions, the airspace of the German airports is expected to be closed until Monday, 14:00 hrs local time.
The decision is based on the forecast of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in London, which is operated by the UK's National Weather Service. It is one of nine advisory centres set up by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) around the world. According to the ICAO regulations, the VAAC has to send an updated forecast to the national meteorological services every six hours. This is the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) in Germany, they process the forecasts and issue meteorological warnings. Pilots use the forecasts to prepare for their flights and air traffic control uses them as a basis for their flight clearances.