Aer Lingus: Airspace closure 'unjustified'

Aer Lingus today called on the European Union to urgently revise the procedures used to predict volcanic ash concentrations, as further closures of airspace are threatened across Ireland and the UK.

The airline said that decisions to close airspace on May 9 which disrupted millions of passengers all over Europe, were based on “theoretical” models to predict ash concentration.

These models were subsequently proven to be wrong when ash levels were actually measured, according to Aer Lingus.

"Recent measurements which took place in France, Germany and Switzerland strongly contradict the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) model.," the airline said in a statement.

“The VAAC model has been proven inaccurate several times and we have lost confidence in its reliability," said Chief Executive Christoph Mueller.

" It is now impossible to continue with it and we believe volcanic ash predictions thousands of miles away from the original eruption need to be treated differently."

Mr Mueller called for a new European initiative to respond swiftly and decisively to any approaching ash cloud, proposing the use of specialised aircraft equipped with appropriate measurement devices.

"Similar early warning systems have been in place in the US and the Caribbean for many years to monitor hurricane activity," he said.

"We believe that in the context of Ireland’s position, the current continued effect of the ash cloud and mindful of the importance of safety at all times, Ireland must show leadership in forcing the EU to implement appropriate procedures that can enable airlines to continue flying."