DFS: No take-offs or landings until Tuesday, 02:00 hrs

This situation may change at short notice, depending on the weather.

The ash cloud emanating from a volcanic eruption in Iceland has spread over German airspace, severely disrupting air traffic in Germany. Flights under instrument flight rules (IFR flights) are only possible in upper airspace (at an altitude of six kilometres or higher). Based on the current meteorological data, DFS cannot yet issue clearances for IFR flights in lower airspace. Consequently, there are no take-offs or landings at German airports until further notice. Exceptions to this rule are flights under visual flight rules (VFR flights) that fly at low altitudes. It is still possible to conduct these flights. They are not controlled by DFS and are instead conducted at the pilot's responsibility.

Following consultation with the German Meteorological Service (DWD), DFS decided to extend the ban on IFR flights in lower airspace until 02:00 hrs on Tuesday. It is continuously assessed whether this ban is to be extended or temporarily relaxed. DFS has activated its contingency management team, which is closely consulting with the experts of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS), the German Meteorological Service (DWD), the Federal Supervisory Authority for Air Navigation Services and EUROCONTROL.

Due to the fact that the ash cloud is moving and the weather situation constantly changing, it is possible that the airspace at some airports can be opened up temporarily in the course of the day. DFS will facilitate such openings whenever possible. This gives airlines the chance to handle at least some flights during these timeframes.

The DFS contingency management team bases its decisions on publications by the German Meteorological Service (DWD), which in turn uses the information of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in London. Operated by the British Met Office, it is one of nine advisory centres set up around the world by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). According to the ICAO regulations, the VAAC has to send an updated forecast to the national meteorological services every six hours. This is the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) in Germany, which issues meteorological warnings (SIGMETS). Based on these SIGMETS, DFS decides on regulatory measures in the affected airspace, known as "closures" in everyday language.