Ash cloud crisis: EasyJet calls for ash-detectors on planes

Add to My Stories EasyJet is hoping to prevent a repeat of last year's devastating volcanic ash cloud by putting new infra-red ash detectors on its planes, but has called for help in financing the new technology.
The budget airline wants to install the detectors so pilots and flight centres can map where a potential volcanic ash cloud is and divert planes accordingly.

Grounded: The Eyjafjallajokull eruption caused chaos across Europe as tens of thousands of flights were cancelledHowever, the technology still doesn't have approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency and easyJet is also hoping to be given financial support by the European Commission.The airline had said it would install the infra-red technology by December 2010, but prototypes still need to be tested and the carrier doesn't have the backing of the whole aviation industry.The system, called Avoid (Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector) would mean planes could still take to the skies during an eruption, but skirt round areas affected by ash.More than 95,000 flights across Europe were grounded in April last year following the Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland.The aviation industry was strongly criticised for upholding a blanket ban on flights which cost airlines more than 1.3bn.Airlines did protest at the time, saying their engineers had found little proof of the ash cloud affecting flight routes.
Irish carrier Ryanair claims it has had to put an extra 2 charge on all flights this year to make up for cash lost during the crisis and Virgin boss Richard Branson was among the high profile figures who believed the ban was too heavy handed.

More...

• Campaigners call on Government to protect seascapes from development
• Relief for tourists as Easter BA strikes are called off in favour of peace talks
• Cutting the Costa: Spain is named cheapest holiday spot for ! Britons< /li>

'Last winter we were told that the heavy snowfall was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and then it happened again 10 months later,' said easyJet's head of engineering, Ian Davies.'We can't predict exactly when another volcano will erupt and send an ash cloud into European airspace, but we can say with certainty that it will happen at some stage.'News on the new ash detection technology comes as BAA confirmed it is looking into 'underfloor heating' for runways at Heathrow to help de-ice them in the event of another heavy snowfall.

LIFTING OF LIQUID RESTRICTIONS DELAYED

While new technology to avoid ash and snow problems will be welcomed by travellers, once recent decision by aviation chiefs will not.Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed that the partial lifting of restrictions on liquids in hand luggage will be delayed due to the ' continuing high' security threat.The restrictions were due to be lifted for passengers transiting the UK from outside the European Union on April 29.