Fact Sheet: Volcanic Ash

• There are more than 500 active volcanoes in the world
• Volcanic ash is made up predominantly of silicates with a melting temperature of 1100°C
• Examples of previous volcanic eruptions that impacted airline operations and airport closures:1980 - Mt St. Helens, USA
• 1982 - Galungugung, Indonesia
• 1989 - Mt Redoubt, USA
• 1991 - Mt Pinatubo, Philippines
• 1997 - Mt Popocatepetl, Mexico
• 2010 - Mt Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland
• 2011 - Puyehue-Cordón Caulle, Chile
• 2011 - Mt Grimsvortn, Iceland
• In recent years there have been several events within the Pacific region which have caused minor disruption to aviation
• Although there were some serious incidents, there has been no aircraft accident, injury or loss of life as a result of a volcanic ash encounter.
• The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC) were set up by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a result of the serious encounters that occurred during the 1980’s. Their role is to issue volcano advisories and graphics to the meteorology offices, airlines, air navigation service providers and governments volcano advisories and graphics
• Airlines use the information provided by the VAAC’s to plan their flights in or near ash contaminated areas. The information provided may be used to mitigate the risk of flying in areas potentially affected by volcanic ash

2010 and 2011 European Volcano Eruptions

• The Iceland volcano eruption in April 2010 led to a closure of the majority of European airspace in Europe for six days and some temporary closures in different parts thereafter
• The financial impact to airlines was estimated at $1.8 billion in lost revenue
• Some 10 million passengers and 100,000 flights were affected during the six day period
•  By comparison, the 2011 eruption, which was smaller and had a more ‘favorable’ pressure system moving the resultant ash cloud, suffered only with the closure of airspace in northern Germany for some hours
• Much of this reduced impact was due to IATA’s action and the work in development by the International Volcanic Ash Task force (IVATF). Significant events:
  1. The Volcanic Contamination Exercises (VOLCEX) was held in April 2011 and provided timely feedback ahead of the second European eruption
  2. The European Aviation Crisis Contingency Center was created, including cooperation/interface with the airlines
  3. Generally, apart from the closure of northern German airspace, operational decisions were delegated to the airlines
  4. The acceleration of Single European Sky is still a high priority for IATA Current Status
• In direct cooperation with ICAO and through involvement in the work of the Airworthiness sub-group of the IVATF, ICAO Document 9974 Flight Safety and Volcanic Ash  was published in 2012. This document provide guidance for states in recommending practices to their operators and regulatory authorities where volcanic ash contamination may be a hazard for flight operations/  It was co-signed by seven industry bodies, including IATA

Current Status

• IVATF has convened on three occasions now, with a fourth and final meet due in June 2012 where the IATA priorities remain:
• Volcanic ash should treated similarly to any other significant meteorological hazard
• States do not close their airspace, directly or by artificial means
• Improve the information available on the VAA/VAG making this the primary source of information and place the emphasis on the use of observed, discernible ash
• Reduce information overload and conflict by increasing the importance of the VAA/VAG
• Volcanic Ash Challenge Team (VACT) met in September 2011 where:
• Majority of attendees agreed not to close airspace except for reasons of national security
• Support was received for the joint industry document, Flight Safety and Volcanic Ash
• Recognition on the need for closer cooperation between the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations, the International Airways Volcano Watch Ops Group and IATA member airlines
• Agreement on the need for a harmonized VAAC output
• VAAC Best Practices workshops. This initiative sponsored by IATA was a direct result of airlines highlighting the significant inconsistencies in capability, practices and product information. The first meeting was the first time all nine VAACs had been together to discuss their capabilities, resources, policies, etc.  The third VAAC Best Practices workshop was held in Indonesia, March 2013.

Ongoing work

• Progress on the Single European Sky is limited 
• Concept of operations for volcanic ash is progressing 
• A guide to Best Practices for all VAACs is being produced to deliver harmonized output for all VAACs
• Fundamental proposal: Flight operations in and around volcanoes should be considered as routine. This should be supported by procedures, similar to operating in special weather conditions and managed with specific maintenance measures
• Limited observation of active volcanoes remains a major concern. Active watch will reduce the notification time from start of eruption and thus reduce the chance of accidental volcanic ash encounter
  

Updated: June 2013