The volcanic ash cloud that has wreaked havoc across Europe and stunted travel to and from the continent has generated concerns about its impact on safety, business and the environment, among other issues. Limited flights were allowed Tuesday at some European airports, but officials warn that the Icelandic volcano that created the cloud continues to erupt and threaten future air travel.
Two Duke University experts are available to discuss both environmental and business issues related to the incident.
Prasad Kasibhatla, an associate professor of environmental chemistry at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, can discuss environmental impacts of airborne particulates, sulfur and other contaminants in volcanic ash, including what effect, if any, they may have on atmospheric cooling. More information on Kasibhatla is available at http://fds.duke.edu/db/Nicholas/esp/faculty/psk9.
Will Mitchell, professor of strategy at The Fuqua School of Business at Duke, says broad-based airline alliances such as the StarAlliance and OneWorld can help their members adapt to unexpected problems in one part of the world by helping them reroute passengers. But, he notes, the partners must have integrated their IT and customer service organizations to have a substantial advantage over independent airlines. More information on Mitchell is available at http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty_research/faculty_directory/mitchell/.