EasyJet may be a low-cost airline but it's got high costs on its mind. When volcanic ash forced the closure of airspace throughout Europe this spring, EU carriers lost 1 billion euros (US$1.7 billion) almost overnight. This is why EasyJet is spending £1 million ($1.6 million) to make massive cancellations due to ash clouds a thing of the past.

EasyJet is teaming up with aircraft manufacturer Airbus to test and roll out the ash-detection devices on up to 12 aircraft by the end of the year. According to the airline, the devices will be installed on the tail fin of aircraft and will be able to detect ash clouds within 60 miles (100 kilometers). The system is designed to work the same way current radar systems detect thunderstorms and then relay the information to pilots and controllers.

The system is known as AVOID -- Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector and it lets pilots see ash clouds at altitudes between 5,000 and 50,000 feet (1,524 to 15,240 meters). EasyJet is urging other airlines to test and implement detections systems which could give pilots and controllers a better map of ash threats over European skies.

Authorities received much criticism over the closure of large portions of airspace in April. Many airlines considered it an excessive approach that painted too broad a brush over Europe and caused more cancellations than necessary. The EU is now looking to advance the timeline for the Single European Sky (SES) initiative meant to unite 27 separate regions of airspace. It is hoped that decisions on airspace closures can become more unified as well.

Source: Associated Press (AP)