Sun, May 16, 2010
Seeking Standardization Across Multiple Regulatory
Agencies
The European Union is looking at adopting U.S.-developed rules
for flight into areas where airborne volcanic ash is present. The
adoption would standardize rules in European airspace, and give
airlines flying in Europe more discretion in determining whether or
not to fly.
EASA hopes that the adoption will result in fewer flight delays
and cancellations from the still-erupting volcano in Iceland.
The agency has been in discussions with the FAA, UKMET, which
tracks the ash cloud, Transport Canada, and the EC. EASA spokesman
Daniel Hoeltgen said that adopting the rules developed in North
America would "be a uniform solution for all Europe. There would be
less discussion of national differences."
The Wall Street Journal reports that airlines in Europe have
been critical of regulators who have come to distinctly different
interpretations of the concentrations of airborne ash. Some
countries have closed airspace entirely, while neighbors have kept
airways open with the same conditions. Flight cancellations,
lengthy delays, and a lot of confusion have been the result of the
patchwork of policies.
The FAA SOP is to declare a no-fly zone around an erupting
volcano or where there is visible ash. Airlines are given broad
discretion about the decision to fly outside that area, similar to
diverting around weather. The Canadian approach is nearly
identical.
While the EU looks at the U.S. procedures, the ICAO is working
on global standards for flight restrictions associated with
volcanic ash.
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