Volcanic Ash Exercises, Lisbon, Portugal - 14 and 15 October 2024

A preparatory workshop for the EUR/NAT Volcanic Ash Exercises 2024 was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from October 14 to 15, 2024. The workshop aimed to prepare for a simulated volcanic eruption of the Santa Barbara volcano in the Azores, Portugal. The objective was to enable aviation stakeholders to test their response to the resulting simulated volcanic ash plume, which could affect a large part of the EUR/NAT region. This two-step exercise took place on November 19, 2024, from 0800 to 1600 UTC.

The workshop reviewed the history and status of the Santa Maria volcanic activity and the two-step exercise scenario. It also reviewed the regional Volcanic Ash Contingency Plan (EUR/NAT VACP) and the details on the promulgation of Danger Areas, NOTAM, SIGMET (including cross-border SIGMET coordination), and special air reports on volcanic ash, as well as updates to the related Safety Risk Assessments.