EasyJet plans to start trials within two months on an airborne volcanic ash detector, the carrier recently announced, and regards the new technology as the "silver bullet" that will avoid a repeat of the widespread cancellations that crippled European airspace in April and May.
The U.K.-based airline said it would be the first carrier to trial the Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector—"Avoid"—which was developed by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research. "This pioneering technology is the silver bullet that will make large-scale ash disruption history," said EasyJet chief executive Andy Harrison. "The ash detector will enable our aircraft to see and avoid the ash cloud, just like airborne weather radars and weather maps make thunderstorms visible."
EasyJet has commissioned aircraft manufacturer Airbus to start trials on its behalf within the next two months. The airline estimated the development phase will cost £1 million. It said Avoid uses infrared technology onboard aircraft to detect ash clouds up to 100 kilometers ahead. As well as allowing pilots to alter their flight path, it will build up a comprehensive real-time picture of clouds for airline flight control centers, which EasyJet said will open up large areas of airspace that otherwise would be closed.
The announcement came as European carriers continue to push hard for compensation for their estimated €1 billion of losses caused by disruption from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. They blame imprecise mathematical modeling for what they regard as overcautious closure of European airspace. "We don't want any subsidies, but we want compensation since we have been forced to be grounded and it was not necessary," said Lufthansa CEO and chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber this week.
British airlines met Phil Hammond, transport secretary for the new Conservative-Liberal coalition government in the United Kingdom, last week to press their case for compensation.