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CANSO: Volcanic ash likely to disrupt European airspace for several days

Direct News Source

16-Apr-2010 CANSO warns knock-on effect of volcanic ash plume over Northern Europe could disrupt European airspace for several days.

CANSO, the Global Voice of Air Traffic Management, has warned that the knock-on effect of the volcanic ash plume over Northern Europe could disrupt European airspace for several days.

Graham Lake, Director General of CANSO, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, which represents the interests of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) worldwide, also noted that air traffic control organisations are following long-established protocols designed to ensure passenger safety.

"This entire situation has a significant impact on the airspace system and will stretch ANSP resources around the world, but particularly in Europe. Traffic will have to be reorganised or re-routed and flights replanned, all on a dynamic and quite unpredictable basis. We will have to expect some knock-on effect to the system for several days. But air traffic control organisations will be taking safe and sensible decisions, and are following the correct policies for volcanic ash plumes which were established and enhanced after serious incidents in 1982 and 1989" he said.

Passengers are urged to contact their airline for the latest information on the status of their flights.