The effect of the eruption on the functioning of European air transport was very dramatic and unforeseen. Was widespread closure of the airspace an overreaction or a necessary approach based on the ‘safety first’ principle – a principle which is at the center of ECA’s work? Flying on a European Commercial Airliner is one of the safest pastimes we undertake in our lives – and it is this way because of the safety-first principle. We should never abandon it to chase profit or convenience.

Since the crisis, many meetings have been organized and there are many more to come. ICAO has instigated an International Volcanic Ash Task Force. Eurocontrol established a Volcanic Ash central safety data collection point, with the aim of collecting and analyzing post flight data. The aim is to learn lessons in order to improve safety, flight efficiency and capacity within the specific volcanic ash environment. On May 4 an extraordinary EU Council of the Ministers of Transport decided on a list of actions including the creation of a crisis coordination unit and an aviation group gathering all aviation stakeholders at European level to follow-up the crisis measures.

The Council also agreed on the need to swiftly establish binding limits, at EU level, which clearly define the safety envelope for engines and aircraft as regards the risk of volcanic ashes. The importance of this decision cannot be emphasized enough. Certification is the basis of everything: the first question that needs a clear, scientific and satisfactory answer is what concentration of volcanic ash is tolerated by both the engines and the airframe.

The definition of an upper limit for ash density in which it is considered safe to fly is just the start. How is this defined? How is it measured and /or predicted? What extra checks are necessary on the engines and airframe following flight in such low density ash? What extra inspections should be carried out? When should flight crew report such flights and to whom? What extra training, reporting and procedures are necessary and for which members of the safety chain? Airline management, flight planners, ATC/flow controllers, engineers, meteorologists, volcanologists and of course, flight crew?