Volcanic ash and aviation: Recommendations to improve preparedness for extreme events

The eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010 was an unprecedented event for European aviation and emphasized the need for advancements in the corresponding risk management of the stakeholders involved. This study researches progress since 2010, as significant regulatory changes have been introduced to improve European and North Atlantic aviation risk management with regards to volcanic ash. A participatory stakeholder workshop with scenario narratives was set up in which stakeholders discussed obstacles in the general management of aviation during volcanic ash eruptions as well as under extreme eruption scenarios. This paper presents recommendations developed from the workshop.