World aviation body to conduct ash probe

The International Civil Aviation Organisation said it will start work on setting global standards for the concentration of ashes that could affect airplane engines.

Raymond Benjamin, secretary-general of the UN agency responsible for aviation safety, said that ICAO has nine stations around the world that monitor ash from volcanos like Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted on April 14 causing the cancellation of thousands of flights and creating chaos for travelers.

But he said the agency has not established any standards for volcanic ashes.

Mr Benjamin said ICAO's governing council decided to convene a group including representatives from industry, manufacturers, governments, scientists, and the International Air Transport Association.