Status: 20.12.2023, 14:04 PM
By: Daniel Geradtz
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The effects of the volcanic eruption in Iceland force an Icelandair Boeing 757 to change course. The plane goes into a waiting position over the island.
Reykjavik – In 2010, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland severely affected air traffic – even far beyond the island nation. The current eruptions near the town of Grindavík are not nearly as violent, but have forced an Icelandair plane to adjust its course significantly. The Boeing 757 even had to make several extra laps on its flight from Copenhagen to Reykjavik on Monday evening (18 December).
200-metre-high lava fountains cause volcano alarm
The volcano erupted after weeks of earthquakes. At times, up to 200 cubic meters of lava per second shot into the air. According to observers, the lava fountain was 200 meters high at the beginning. This caused a lot of smoke.
Sea of flames in front of the plane window: An Icelandair flight was stopped by the volcanic eruption. © Screenshot/Twitter/Flightradar24
Icelandair's Boeing 757 reached the eastern shore of the island at around 213 p.m. on its flight with the number ICE 23 at an altitude of about 10,000 meters. However, the flight to the west took an unusual course. As the data from the platform flightradar24.com shows, the pilot did two extra laps with the machine on an identical course. They lasted about ten minutes each. When these were completed, the flight continued, but north of the usual course.
Extra rounds after volcano alarm cause delay
On the flight over the mainland, he gradually reduced the altitude. It was only when the aircraft arrived in the far west and was already over the Atlantic Ocean that the pilot steered south with an S-curve to take the usual course. The plane touched down on the ground of Keflavík Airport at 23:49 local time. The course changes had led to a delay of almost 30 minutes.
Since the beginning of the eruptions, numerous social media users have been posting videos and photos of the enormous natural spectacle. On platform X, which used to be called Twitter, pictures also made the rounds, which are said to have been taken from Icelandair's Boeing 757.
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Despite the volcanic eruption, air traffic to and from Iceland has been maintained in recent days. In the meantime, there is a noticeable slowdown in activity. For this reason, experts expect the eruptions to end over the course of these weeks.