EasyJet introduces volcanic ash radar
In a sign of the times it has been revealed that budget airline EasyJet is set to introduce a new radar system which will allow pilots and those on the ground to identify volcanic ash clouds up to 62 miles in advance. The radar will be able to identify volcanic ash clouds between altitudes of 5,000 feet and 50,000 feet, giving pilots more than enough time to make alternative arrangements.
The system, called AVOID (airborne volcanic object identifier and detector), could literally save worldwide airlines hundreds of millions of pounds in the future. For a relatively small cost the ability to remain airborne and hold passenger safety paramount is something which would have been very useful during the recent volcanic ash cloud saga. It is easy to forget that this is an industry which is literally on its knees having suffered from the worldwide economic collapse, an increase in the price of oil as well as intense competition between carriers.
While estimates vary with regards to the cost to the industry of the recent ash clouds disruptions it is known that many airlines are talking to the European Union and the UK government behind the scenes regarding compensation. Whether their quest for compensation is successful or not remains to be seen.
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