Photo credit: ANI
NEW DELHI: Airline operations across parts of the country may face disruptions after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption began drifting toward western and northern regions, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday The ash plume, travelling at high altitudes and significant speed, is expected to enter Gujarat and move eastward through Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and eventually the Himalayan belt. With the cloud containing volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide and fine glass particles, airlines have begun cancelling and diverting flights to avoid the dangerous plume.
Ash cloud from Ethiopia’s volcano expected to reach North India by 10 pm (Photo – Sat: Meteosat-9)
Airports have also been asked to remain vigilant and inspect surfaces for ash contamination that could affect aircraft engines and airfield operations. Multiple carriers, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and KLM, have already modified schedules, while authorities continue monitoring the cloud’s trajectory. Disruptions are expected to evolve as the plume moves across Oman, Yemen and toward northern India.
Here’s the top 10 things to know:
- DGCA issued an advisory on Monday asking airlines and airports to prepare for possible disruptions from the volcanic ash plume drifting from Ethiopia.
- IndiaMetSky Weather said the ash cloud will enter Gujarat this evening before moving towards Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and later the Himalayas. The service stated: “Ash cloud is about to enter Gujarat (West side) and move towards Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by 10 pm, and later it will impact the Himalayas and other regions.”
- The plume is travelling 100–120 km/h at altitudes between 15,000 and 45,000 feet, carrying ash, sulphur dioxide and microscopic glass and rock particles.
- Akasa Air, IndiGo and KLM have cancelled flights, with routes to the Middle East and Europe particularly affected. Akasa Air said: “Following recent volcanic activity in Ethiopia and the resulting ash plume in the surrounding airspace, our flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for 24th and 25th November 2025 have been cancelled.”
- DGCA instructed airlines to avoid ash-affected airspace, revise flight planning and immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including engine anomalies or cabin smoke/odour.
- Airports have been told to inspect runways, taxiways and aprons and restrict operations until cleaning is completed if ash contamination is detected.
- Mumbai airport warned passengers: “A volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has affected airspace over parts of West Asia, which may impact some international routes.”
- Authorities are watching the plume’s movement towards Delhi and Jaipur, with early signs near Jamnagar around 5.30 pm, and disruptions expected as the situation develops.
- The explosive eruption, which began around 8:30 am UTC [1.30 pm IST] on Sunday, marks the first activity from the nearly 10,000-year-dormant volcano.
- After the eruption, volcanic ash activity has been reported over parts of the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in airlines issuing cautionary notices for passengers flying through the Middle East, though no advisories have mentioned ash drift toward India.