Iceland volcano: CAA have better ash cloud monitoring in place

Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority, describes the latest tests to measure levels of volcanic ash in the air over Britain.

While the CAA have deemed it safe for all British aircraft to fly in medium density ash, the Met Office charts show that the levels are higher than this below 35,000 feet, meaning planes could have to navigate routes around the plume.

Met Office forecaster Charles Powell predicted the plume would cover large swathes of Britain by lunchtime.

He said: "This area of ash will start to make its presence felt across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland and by midday I think much of the UK will be covered."

The latest eruption is, however, expected to be less serious than that of 13 months ago, because the ash is of a different consistency and aviation rules have since been changed giving airlines more say in whether or not it is safe to fly. 

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