Ash clouds threaten air traffic

[ACARS]

What are the model predicting? Doesn't seem to be moving that quick.

Do we know if it will clear our airspace by tomorrow? Otherwise I need a "lend" a cessna 172 and file vfr from BRU to NCL

I can imagine that most airlines will probably cancel flights tomorrow too at the rate it's movning.

Anyone the number for the Eurostar

[Tediek]

EHAM shutting down in steps as of 1300 hours Lt... some flights have been cancelled.

*** ALARM *** 10:59
LUCHTRUIM NL WORDT STAPSGEWIJS GESLOTEN. 10:59
VANAF 1900LT G E E N LUCHTVERKEER MEER MOGELIJK. 10:59
DIVERSE CONTINGENCYPLANNEN ZIJN REEDS OPGESTART. 11:00

[KiloMikePapa]

Belgian airspace will be closed as well

It was just annouced that Belgian airspace will be gradually closed this afternoon (complete closure probably from 16:00 local time on).

This event might restore some of the humility we often lack vis-a-vis to Mother Nature

Have a nice sunset!

[HeathrowAirport]

Only two flight's from EGNM today, one filed FL240, the later FL370. (RYR)

Just a question is this Ash Cloud visible to those on the ground?

[Jetjock330]

Saw the EY ORD-AUH flight routing south of London. That's rather a long way from a Great Circle track - wonder how much longer it's going to take them?

This is an absolute normal routing which utilities the track system that is favorable eastbound, however, the EY151 AUH-ORD (14:43), westbound flight today, is routing south of London today on a random track due to the volcanic ash.

AUH-ORD today Ground distance 6829nm
Air Distance 6861nm (due little headwind average throughout flight being -1 kt)
Great Circle track 6315nm

[peter we]

"Do we know if it will clear our airspace by tomorrow? "
Its going to be several days at least according to the weather chart posted earlier. Probably a week, but it depends on the weather forecast and you know how unreliable that can be. Best hope is that it gets blown west and disrupts NA instead...
It could of course eventually encircle the entire northern hemisphere

[alpouvar]

Sky reporting all BA flights from LHR cancelled until tomorrow morning...

[Tediek]

Germany is next.

[Squawk_ident]

NAT westbound tracks 15-04-10

https://www.cfmu.eurocontrol.int/PUB...2010_04_15.PNG

[Totally_Bananas]

Good video on YouTube of Captain Eric Moody's 747;


YouTube - air crash investigation (english): falling from the sky part1

[IB4138]

Extra police draughted into Malaga airport as quite a few pax are "kicking off" at airline and airport staff.

Mind you, some airlines have not helped the situation with confused information on cancelations. Some flights have been "off" then "on" then "off" again.

[Dairyground]

Just a question is this Ash Cloud visible to those on the ground?

Looking north from the southern fringes of Greater Manchester, the blue of the clear sky does not seem quite as brilliant as usual, and the few, medium-height, clouds that are visible seem to have a slightly pink or beige tinge. The effect is not great, so it could all be in my imagination - or my window might need cleaning.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

<<Information Just Received That All London Sectors Will Not
Be Available To Ifr Traffic From 1100 Utc Until 1800 Utc>>

Interesting... It's now 10:48Z and Heathrow is still busy with inbounds. No way they're going to be cleared by 11:00.

[Suzeman]

Interesting animation here if it works


EUMETSAT IPPS animation - Meteosat 0 degree Dust Western Europe

[ChalfontFlyer]

Currently showing over the Bristol Channel on flightradar24.com is an Icelandair 757 flight en-route KEF to AMS. Thought all airspace in Iceland has been closed for some hours?

[Tediek]

Eurocontrol advises now that NL airspace can stay open..

[Wycombe]

Radarvirtuel.com has made very interesting viewing this morning over the UK!

[Gulf4uk]

Farnborough continued with arrivals and departures right up to 1200 local
1100Z Departure at 1159 N727DL Saab-fairchild 340A

TONY

[22 Degree Halo]

Think yourself lucky it wasn't ash cloud from Katla

[R44-pilot]

So now the airspace is officially closed, are VFR flights no permitted either?