EVITA: an operational crisis tool for European aviation
EVITA, the European Crisis Visualisation Interactive Tool for ATFCM, displaying areas and flights impacted by volcanic ash
EVITA, the European Crisis Visualisation Interactive Tool for ATFCM, displaying areas and flights impacted by volcanic ash
EVITA, or the European Crisis Visualisation Interactive Tool for ATFCM, is being developed by EUROCONTROL to become the principal communications channel for airlines operating in Europe during major crisis situations.
Benefits of EVITA for monitoring aviation crises
EVITA will bring together volcanic ash concentration data by the London and Toulouse Volcanic Ash Concentration Centres (VAAC), and danger areas declared via NOTAM by national aviation authorities. In addition, it will offer the same features as the operational NOP Portal into which it is being built.
It will support the sharing of information between airlines, state regulators and air navigation service providers, in particular thanks to the functionality that allows airlines to identify precisly which of their flights may be impacted by ash.
The tool, originally created to monitor ash concentration levels, could be used for other crises such as nuclear emergency, pandemics or security risks.
Testing EVITA in a volcanic ash crisis exercise and ... in real life
The tool has been trialled during the volcanic ash crisis exercise organised by ICAO on 13-14 April 2011, in which EUROCONTROL plays an key coordination role.
Although EVITA is still under development and should be used for information purposes only, it has been made available during the new Grímsvötn Volcano crisis to support the management of the crisis.