EasyJet has created an artificial ash cloud and flown through it to test how aircraft can cope with volcanic eruptions.
The experiment over the Bay of Biscay is part of easyJet’s plan to have volcanic sensor detection equipment fitted on aircraft.
In the test, an A400M Airbus test plane dispersed one tonne of Icelandic ash into the atmosphere at between 9,000ft and 11,000ft.
A second Airbus test aircraft, an A340-300, with Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector (Avoid) technology fitted, flew towards the ash cloud, identifying and measuring it from around 60km away.
The experiment also used a small aircraft, a Diamond DA42 from Duesseldorf University of Applied Sciences, to fly into the ash cloud to take measurements which help to corroborate the readings from the Avoid system.
The ash cloud produced during the test was between 600ft and 800ft deep and measured 2.8km in diameter.
It was initially visible to the naked eye but dissipated quickly, becoming difficult to identify.
This created conditions consistent with the 2010 eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull – an event that caused severe disruption to more than 100,000 flights across the UK and other parts of Europe at a cost of $2.6 billion.
The budget airline plans to continue development with a view to mounting stand-alone units on some aircraft by the end of next year.
Engineering director Ian Davies said: “The threat from Icelandic volcanoes continues and so we are delighted with the outcome of this unique and innovative experiment.
“Finding a solution is as crucial now as ever to ensure we never again see the scenes of spring 2010 when all flying ceased across Europe for several days.
“This is a key step in the final journey of testing the technology and moving towards commercial certification.
“EasyJet will now work towards a non-integrated stand-alone system which we aim to fit onto a number of our current fleet of aircraft by the end of 2014.”
Magnús Tumi Gudmundsson from the Institute of Earth Sciences in Iceland said the risk of another eruption remains high.
He said: “Explosive volcanic eruptions in Iceland happen on average once every five years.
“When winds blow from the northwest, the ash is transported towards Europe as it did during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010.
“It was a coincidence that this did not happen in the seven explosive eruptions that took place between 1970 and 2010; instead the ash was mostly carried away from Europe by southerly winds.
“Considering the relatively long time since the last eruptions in two of Iceland‘s most active volcanoes, Hekla and Katla, both should be regarded as ready to erupt.
“It is not possible to predict when or where the next eruption will take place. What is certain is that it will happen.”