The effects of Eyjafjallajokull volcano resulted in thousands of cancelled flights and millions stranded.

In an attempt to prevent the grounding of flights during volcanic eruptions new technology has been developed to make it possible for pilots to detect and navigate around ash clouds.

The Airborne Volcanic Object Imaging Detector (AVOID) was revealed in a test flight over Mt.Etna in Sicily, and has been given the approval by low-cost airline EasyJet, The Australian reported.

AVOID designed by British scientist Dr Fred Prata uses heat detecting cameras, satellite data and atmospheric modeling to warn pilots about ash clouds ahead and directs pilots away from them.

Since the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano over a year ago the aviation industry has been searching for ways it could avoid the effects of ash clouds which resulted in around 100,000 flights being cancelled, costing the industry AUD1.7 billion in revenue.

Dr Pratas said AVOID could be the answer for commercial airlines to safely navigate around the ash clouds and through bad weather conditions.

EasyJet’s Head of Engineering Ian Davies has welcomed the technology saying that the trails have been successful to date and plan to install the equipment on its entire fleet in 2012.

"Safety is at the heart of the aviation industry which is why we saw the blanket shutdowns in reaction to volcanic ash over the past two years," Mr Davies said.

"In the absence of proven technology, thousands of flights were grounded. This should not happen again, thanks to both satellite and airborne technology which can be used to accurately predict not only the dispersal of ash from volcanic eruption but also crucially the levels of concentration."