TRAN Appearance: Main Estimates 2023-2024 and Supplementary Estimates (C) 2022-2023

60. Shiveluch Volcano Eruption

SHIVELUCH volcano eruption

LOCATION: INTERNATIONAL

Issue/Source: SHIVELUCH VOLCANO ERUPTION, POTENTIAL IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Date: APRIL 2023

Suggested Responses

  • A safe and secure air transportation system is of paramount importance to Transport Canada (TC).
  • TC is aware of the Shiveluch Volcano eruption in the Russian Aleutian Islands. There has been minimal impact to Canadian air carrier operations.
  • TC is monitoring for impacts to the Canadian Civil Aviation Transportation system and will continue to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of the travelling public.

IF PRESSED

  • Transport Canada is monitoring and reporting routinely on the volcanic ash situation. Transport Canada Aviation Operations center (AvOps) is coordinating with NAV Canada’s National Operation Center and the Montreal Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, and has been providing regular reports on the situation via the Transport Canada Situation Centre (SITCEN).
  • TC regulates aviation safety and security, as well as the use of the Canadian domestic airspace through the Aeronautics Act and its associated regulations.
  • As of Monday April 17, the volcanic ash plume is becoming difficult to detect as it has weakened. If current trends continue the volcanic ash plume is not expected to persist for a long period.
  • There was minimal impact to Canadian air carriers operations. Some air carriers chose alternative routes for domestic flights between YVR eastbound when the ash cloud reached the western coast.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Sheveluch volcano is erupting in the Russian Aleutian Islands chain.

Aviation Operations is monitoring for impact to the Canadian Civil Aviation Transportation system and reporting as updates are received.

Transport Canada does not track the number of flights impacted by the volcanic ash cloud. Air Carriers organize their own routings using a variety of information sources to determine safe and efficient routings.TC had specific discussions with only one air operator due to flight and duty time restrictions that were associated with an alternative routing.