Impacts and Responses of Icelandic Aviation to the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Eruption: Case Study

Despite volcanic eruptions in earlier times, the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull in April and May 2010 served as a climactic point in aviation history. Stakeholders in the air traffic industry were forced to reevaluate policies, safety standards, and guidelines and to seek new methods for data collection. The geographic location of Iceland in the Northern Atlantic air traffic region places it in a critical location. Volcanic eruptions there can radically affect the European and North Atlantic air traffic. The sequence of events is described, and the impacts from an Icelandic perspective are highlighted. Interviews with key authorities in the Icelandic aviation community revealed important issues that must be addressed. They relate specifically to updating the notice-to-airmen messaging system, enhancing the ash-monitoring and -forecasting system, and developing policies that provide structure for all stakeholders to harmonize their decisions and actions.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.3141/2214-18
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Impacts+and+Responses+of+Icelandic+Aviation+to+the+2010+Eyjafjallaj%c3%b6kull+Volcanic+Eruption%3a+Case+Study&author=G.+Ulfarsson&author=E.+Unger&publication_year=2011
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.trb.org/Main/Blurbs/Aviation_2011_165912.aspx
• Authors:
  • Ulfarsson, Gudmundur Freyr
  • Unger, Elizabeth A
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 144-151
• Monograph Title: Aviation 2011
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2214
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air traffic control; Air transportation policy; Case studies; Forecasting; Monitoring; Volcanic ash; Volcanic eruptions
• Identifier Terms: Notices to Airmen system
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safety standards
• Geographic Terms: Eyjafjallajokull volcano (Iceland); Iceland
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Security and Emergencies; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01337576
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309167284
• Report/Paper Numbers: 11-0412
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 22 2011 11:04AM