CAA update on volcanic ash situation

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As the UK's independent aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) role is to safeguard the public interest by overseeing the safety of UK aviation and we are making every effort to allow safe airline operations to resume in the light of continued volcanic activity.

We are currently facing one of the biggest challenges the aviation industry has ever seen. The CAA oversaw Sunday's test flight between Heathrow and Cardiff. The British Airways 747 followed a route previously flown by the Dornier research aircraft which collects scientific data for the Met Office. This allowed an assessment to be made which related ash density to aircraft damage, unlike other test flights reported in Europe. Our experts are reviewing all the evidence and working intensively to expedite a safe solution along with aircraft manufacturers, European aviation regulators, air traffic control providers and European institutions.

There is hope that a cessation of volcanic activity will allow the resumption of flights but Eyjafjallajoekull continues its eruptions, although at a lower level. Weather conditions also continue to be unfavourable.

We appreciate the severe inconvenience and economic pressures that the suspension of flights has caused and are urgently looking at all options to lift restrictions whilst maintaining passenger safety as our first priority, ensuring these decisions are evidence based.

The restrictions are Europe wide and the procedures adopted in the UK comply with international aviation recommendations laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The volcanic ash currently affecting UK airspace is an unprecedented event in Europe. Last Thursday, NATS (National Air Traffic Control Services) reduced its aircraft flow rate, within controlled airspace, to zero, based on manufacturers' guidance on the hazards presented by ash to aircraft frames and their engines.

The current restrictions are based on engine manufacturers' guidance which state that aircraft engines should be exposed to a zero rate of volcanic ash. The CAA and other authorities are working with these manufacturers to see whether new evidence and risk assessment can enable safe flight at agreed levels of ash exposure. The CAA has been actively pursuing this option with manufacturers and this work is continuing today.

In the meantime passengers are advised not to travel to the airport without first contacting their airline.

Further information on passenger rights:

Air passenger rights

European legislation provides rights to passengers if flights into, within or out of the EU are delayed or cancelled.

The European Commission has reminded airlines and passengers that EU passenger rights do apply in the situation of extended delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud. This includes the right to choose between reimbursement of fares or being re-routed to final destination. There is also a right to care in the form of refreshments, meals and accommodation as appropriate.

This means that passengers who are away from home, and have been provided with hotel accommodation by their airline, should be provided with assistance until their return to the UK. The CAA advises passengers to take measures to ensure that unavoidable expenses incurred during their delay and which they may intend to claim from the airline upon their return home, are reasonable.

In such exceptional circumstances outside the control of airlines, passengers are not entitled to additional financial compensation as would be the case where delays or cancellations are the fault of the airline.

Passengers who are travelling on non-EU airlines and who are not delayed in an EU Member State may be provided with rights under separate non-EU based legislation. Passengers are advised to contact their airline about their rights under other international or national legislation.

Package Holidays

If you have booked a package holiday you should contact your travel agent or tour operator. If you are currently abroad please contact your local tour rep for more information. If you are due to travel in the next few days please contact your tour operator or travel agent for an update.

Other protections

Some insurance providers are making a special dispensation to cover travel failure caused by the volcanic ash cloud and are covering some unavoidable out of pocket expenses faced by passengers who are delayed away from home. Passengers holding travel insurance are advised to check their insurer's policy and any announcements their insurer has made following the disruption.