En raison des cendres volcaniques et la fermeture des espaces aériens, deux aéronefs ont été retournés à leurs aéroports de départ. Il s'agissait de BAW24R, un Boeing 777 exploité par British Airways, effectuant un vol depuis Chicago (KORD) à destination de Londres (EGLL) et COA4, un Boeing 767 exploité par Continental Air Lines, effectuant un vol depuis Goorge Bush International Airport (KIAH) à destination de Londres (EGLL), tandis qu'AAL78, un Boeing 777 exploité par American Airlines effectuant un vol depuis Dallas (KDFW) à destination de Londres (EGLL) a été réacheminé vers l'intersection LOGSU, afin de procéder plus au sud.*** ** *** Due to volcanic ash and airspace closures, two aircraft were instructed to return to their departure airport. The two aircraft were BAW24R, a Boeing 777 operated by British Airways, on a flight from Chicago (KORD) to London (EGLL), and COA4, a Boeing 767 operated by Continental Air Lines, on a flight from George Bush International Airport (KIAH) to London (EGLL). Meanwhile, AAL78, a Boeing 777 operated by American Airlines, which was on a flight from Dallas (KDFW) to London (EGLL) was diverted to the LOGSU intersection in order to proceed on a more southern route.

The Continental Airlines, Inc. Boeing 767-400 series aircraft (operating as flight COA4) was on a scheduled IFR flight from Houston (George Bush) Intercontinental Airport, TX (U.S.A.) (KIAH) to London (Heathrow) International Airport, England (UK) (EGLL). NAV CANADA staff at Montréal ACC reported that the aircraft was en-route between Ottawa and Québec City when the flight crew requested to return to Houston because of the volcanic ash plume from the active volcano in Iceland and the subsequent closure of all UK airspace after their departure. Ops. impact -- none.

At 0540Z a Continental Boeing 777 Flight #4 which was en-route from George Bush Intl. to Gatwick reported a medical emergency and requested a turnback clearance to Newark. Gander ACC gave the requested clearance. The aircraft exited the Gander FIR without further incident at 0555Z.

The Boeing 777 was on route from Washington to Gatwick. The crew indicated the were diverting to Houston due to a medical emergency. Details not known. TSB no involvement.

B747 COA4 - A/C ENROUTE DALLAS TO LONDON/GATWICH. WHILE THE A/C WAS IN THE MONCTON FIR, A PASSENGER ADVISED ONE OF THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS THAT HE HAD A GUN. MONCTON ACC ADVISED COA DISPATCH. PILOT WOULD CONTINUE TO DESTINATION UNLESS SITUATION BECAME VOLATILE IN WHICH CASE PILOT WOULD DIVERT TO NEAREST AIRPORT. TIME - 0620Z. ACTION - MAB.