The volcano is located under the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier, about 75 miles east of Iceland's capital Reykjavik. It erupted on Wednesday for the second time in a month and continues to spew a plume of ash into the sky. The unprecedented and widespread impact on the airspace over Northern Europe is due to a combination of the Icelandic Volcano erupting through glacier ice (producing tiny glass like particles) and the fact that the plume of ash is being carried by winds to the south and east.
Scandinavian countries affected include Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Flight Information Updates for SAS Airlines and Norwegian Airlines.
Airspace over Norway was closed from 10:00 am Thursday 15 April because of the ash cloud from the volcano eruption in Iceland.
Expect the next flight update from the Norwegian airlines website at 1600 on Friday 16th.
Information about SAS Airline disruptions can be found on their website homepage.
Scandinavian Flights Operating on Friday 16th April 2010.
Based on the latest meteorological data, Avinor AS and the Civil Aviation Authority made the decision today, Friday 16 April to allow limited air traffic in the Bodo control area of Northern Norway. As a result some passenger flights will operate between Trondheim airport, Værnes, and Stokmarknes, for a limited duration from 09:00 p.m. today. For further information refer to www.avinor.no.
How are Helicopter Flights and Light Aircraft Affected by Volcanic Eruption.
In an interview with Mikael Juhlin a pilot with Kallax Flyg, Suite101 established that the heliski operation in Riksgransen, Northern Sweden was not affected by the volcanic ash. Mr Juhlin flew by helicopter from Kiruna to Riksgransen this morning Friday 16th April in order to be available for the weekend heli ski operation. “Aircraft flying under VFR (Visual Flying Rules) are not restricted,” he said. Only aircraft flying under IFR (Instrument Flying Rules) within the controlled airspace are grounded due to the Icelandic Volcano event. As a result it can be expected that scenic helicopter flights and heliski operations in Northern Sweden, though dependant on the weather, will proceed as usual.
According to Mr Juhlin, Kallax Flug’s chief technician Jimmy Lindqvist spoke yesterday with Eurocopter the manufacturer of Kallax Flug’s aircraft and advised that “there is no risk of engine failure due to the volcanic ash” to VFR aircraft in this area (Norrbotten).
While aircraft operating under VFR can fly to Arlanda (International Airport), Stockholm for example; IFR aircraft including most passenger flights are grounded. Ambulance and police aircraft which operate under IFR remain grounded in Scandinavia.
Pilot Experience of Flying Through Volcanic Ash
Mr Juhlin said he had experienced flying through volcanic ash after the eruption of Mt Etna, while he was en route to Bosnia in 2005. Although at the time Mr Juhlin was aware of the forecast for an ash cloud he was unable to avoid flying through it by changing altitude. The standard procedure which he carried out was “to put ignition in continuous” on the Saab 340 military aircraft. Mr Juhlin said it was like “flying through a haze” and that there were “no problems with the flight or damage to the engine”.
It is unknown how long the flight disruptions will continue.
