Ash crisis prompts new guidelines on airspace
Source: Agencies |
May 23, 2010, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE European Union has drawn up new guidelines for dealing with volcanic ash to minimize disruption to travellers, the EU's aviation safety body said on Friday.
The rules will give more flexibility to national air traffic controllers and will involve the creation of a European crisis coordination center to ensure a smoother response to emergencies like the ash scare which grounded flights in April.
Fears that ash blown southwards from an erupting Icelandic volcano could cause planes to crash led to a six-day shutdown of Europe's busiest air corridors.
The European Aviation Safety Agency said it had agreed new rules with the European Commission and the Eurocontrol air traffic management agency for assessing the risk of contamination.
"The joint measures will offer member states greater flexibility in deciding how to manage their airspace, allowing for less flight disruption while still ensuring the highest level of safety," Cologne-based EASA said.
Under the new rules airspace will be divided into four zones instead of three at present.
The additional "grey" zone will offer more discretion for local decision makers.
Airlines had criticized the blanket shutdowns across much of the region's airspace and some are pressing for financial compensation.
The rules will give more flexibility to national air traffic controllers and will involve the creation of a European crisis coordination center to ensure a smoother response to emergencies like the ash scare which grounded flights in April.
Fears that ash blown southwards from an erupting Icelandic volcano could cause planes to crash led to a six-day shutdown of Europe's busiest air corridors.
The European Aviation Safety Agency said it had agreed new rules with the European Commission and the Eurocontrol air traffic management agency for assessing the risk of contamination.
"The joint measures will offer member states greater flexibility in deciding how to manage their airspace, allowing for less flight disruption while still ensuring the highest level of safety," Cologne-based EASA said.
Under the new rules airspace will be divided into four zones instead of three at present.
The additional "grey" zone will offer more discretion for local decision makers.
Airlines had criticized the blanket shutdowns across much of the region's airspace and some are pressing for financial compensation.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
