Budget airline easyJet has announced plans to trial new technology designed to enable pilots to detect volcanic ash clouds up to 100km (62 miles) ahead of aircraft.

The new Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector (AVOID) is to be used by the carrier following severe travel disruption caused by an ash cloud from Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull earlier this year. According to easyJet, the system is similar to weather radars already used on commercial airlines and uses infrared technology to provide images visible to pilots and a carrier's flight control centre.

AVOID – developed by Dr Fred Prata of the Norwegian Institute for Air Research – will produce images to allow pilots to see ash clouds at altitudes between 5,000ft (1,524m) and 50,000ft (15,240m) and alter their course accordingly. easyJet chief executive Andy Harrison said: "The ash detector will enable our aircraft to see and avoid the ash cloud, just like airborne weather radars and weather maps make thunderstorms visible."

The first test flight is to be carried out by supplier Airbus within two months, with easyJet planning to trial the technology subject to the results of the test in a bid to minimise future disruption due to ash. Image: easyJet