And what did the boroscope of the engines show?

It's not a case of any country "taking the lead". The conditions in the skies above any country are different to those in neighbouring countries, and I presume that the specific conditions over Germany now make it possible to lift certain restrictions in that country.

Was a figure of speech... Wasn't intending to appear as if it was a true "race".
However, Met predictions show Germany in a slightly MORE affected area than UK at the current time... So, if planes are getting through without incident, one would hope that at some point other countries in same "degree" of affectedness may follow suit. Clearly, safety is primary concern, but perhaps this loosening of restrictions will provide anectodal evidence that other more cautious countries are looking for to justify their own opening of airspace....
And last I checked, the cloud couldn't discern what country it was over... highly doubt it changed density/altitude at the border....
But ya never know...

Irish Airspace remains close to 13.00 Sunday 18th
 

Irish Aviation Authority: Restrictions on Irish airspace extended to 13.00 Sunday. "No commercial traffic including N American flights will operate from any Irish airport during this period." Further update at 11.00 Sun morning.

Excellent Picture
 

Picture of UK one hour ago and it is fairly obvious where the ash is http://lh5.ggpht.com/_m_Sq-5fiago/S8...s800/photo.jpg

Lufthansa seems to be pushing DFS

KGD LED flights in operation...
 

Looks like the Russians are flying between KGD and LED, although not much elsewhere (at least what is visible on flightradar24).

Sky news now reporting UK Airspace closed until 7AM Sunday! If the bigger volcano goes off which could happen within the next 2 years we're going to be stuffed. Titan seem to be using their A109 a lot today!

Bobster
:{

The wind will not always be from the direction it is blowing at the moment. Icelandic volcanoes have erupted in very recent history with no impact on UK or mainland Europe.

The more normal, Polar Maritime airstream, i.e. South Westerlies will help clear things away, though maybe not in the immediate future. Instead of doom and gloom predictions for the next two years, people should remember their basic meterology and the normal air flows...:ugh:

Some people have been taking advantage of the free airspace around airports this morning...

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_m_Sq-5fiago/S8...sentation3.jpg

Not all airports are closed and not all flights are grounded. VFR is allowed , as is IFR flight outside NATS controlled airspace. Not good for pax traffic for sure but plenty flying around. 150 ish movements at Bournemouth yesterday for example

Relentless power

http://i42.tinypic.com/24m5lw9.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/u6794.jpg

Eyjafjallajökull frá Valahnúk

Eyjafjallajökull frá Hvolsvelli

http://www.vodafone.is/eldgos/en

What are military transport doing to get in/out of UK airspace:rolleyes:

Actually it is apparently where the concentrations are from that MODIS image. You can only see the areas where concentrations are very high, though. When it was taken just about everything south of the Scottish border had an ash layer overhead.

Same as everyone else, sitting on the ground and waiting.

My guess is Friday before any significant improvement unless the volcano stops erupting.

Two Air Berlin A330s have just been ferried from Munich to Dusseldorf.... VFR @ FL115 :ok:

Heathrow Director,Anthony GA's & others suggestions that a/c fly into the ash cloud over the UK and then inspect for any damage is not insane it is the only way to get empirical evidence of acceptable ash density levels,we need to be proactive if things do not improve,I for one would be perfectly prepared to do this research as would most other pilots (I've asked around).If we just sit on our arses wringing our hands,we can kiss goodbye to our industry.

So, let's be really pessimistic here. Say the situation in the UK lasts for another ten days, how is this going to impact on our own individual airlines? Times are tough enough without this headache for our bean counters. Wondering how long it will be before the wage bill is looked at.....and the subsequent implications of that too? I am enjoying the time off at home with the family but wondering where I put last weeks Flight magazine.....can't imagine I'm on my own with these considerations.

Hello,

To airseb :
1- NATS do not ALL arrive in UK simply because NO NATS arrive in UK but only in portugal

http://www.turbulenceforecast.com/ma...antic_east.gif


2- The fact that all the french airspace and all french airports are closed is completely false ! Some airports are only closed to IFR and commercial traffic (ie. LFBH and so on..) There's about 30 airports closed.

According german press: Lufty's ferry flights MUC-FRA around FL100 after detailled inspection by maintenance: no findings

Thought this might be of interest.

PICTURES: Finnish F-18 engine check reveals effects of volcanic dust-16/04/2010-London-Flightglobal.com