Latest from NATS conference call..............
The current position is:
· The volcano is still erupting with plume up to 10000 to 15000 feet as advised by Iceland Met;
· Ash concentrations over 20000 feet are “dissipating” but “maintaining a significant risk over most of Europe”;
· UK position is “variable” but no current plans to open any more airspace other than Scotland FIR. However on current predictions by 1300 local today Inverness, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle should remain open but Glasgow, Prestwick and Prestwick may fall in contaminated area and fall out of the able to fly zone;
· At 1200 today decisions to be taken on the status of the component parts of UK airspace for the period from 1800 to 2400 – this will be issued on NOTAM;
· There are ongoing discussions between NATS and CAA as to some agreement on flying over / around cloud contamination using “hot spots” and “caution zones” but no agreement reached so far. NATS say they are pressing for a change of policy from CAA;
· Wind direction is expected to change by the end of the week turning to a west / south westerly direction;
· The issue of VFR was raised with comments re aircraft flying VFR below 21000 feet to Frankfurt;
· Met office plane will be flying from 1230 local around the UK to gather data on actual ash concentrations / contamination.