Start-up develops software to evaluate risk of volcanic eruptions in aviation sector

A Catalan start-up has developed a technology able to evaluate the impact of volcanic eruptions on the aviation sector.

Mitiga Solutions has created a software allowing airline companies to inform themselves of the risks that these natural disasters could pose for their flights.

Using algorithms, information from specialized observatories, and satellite images, the technology can predict the effects of a volcanic eruption and propose alternative routes.

The software, named SORT-ATM, notifies airlines automatically between 24 and 48 hours  before the flight, highlighting which part of the trajectory will be affected. It will also inform companies of how high the ash cloud is, as well as how many of their scheduled flights will be able to continue flying without trouble.

“At the moment, airlines have no tool that allows them to know what impact natural disasters like volcanic eruptions will have on their activity,” said Àlex Martí, the start-up’s general director.

“Due to this uncertainty, airlines  usually decide not to take risks, and cancel flights,” Martí went on to explain. “The closure of airspace and cancellation of flights creates a significant economic loss at many levels,” Martí added, recalling the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland.

According to the CEO, Mitiga Solutions’ software allows its customers to “make  decisions about natural disasters, minimizing risks  and lessening the possible economic impact.”