Airline operations in various parts of India were disrupted on Monday as volcanic ash from the eruption of Hayli Gubbi in Ethiopia drifted into western and northern regions. The DGCA issued an advisory to airlines and airports, cautioning about disruptions as the plume continued moving eastward.
Ash cloud enters India, moves toward Himalayas
According to IndiaMetSky Weather, the ash cloud entered Gujarat on Monday evening before advancing toward Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. The service said the plume is expected to impact the Himalayas and adjoining regions later.
The volcanic cloud, with its ash, sulphur dioxide, and microscopic glass and rock particles, all of which pose serious risks to aircraft engines, is moving at 100-120 km/h at altitudes ranging from 15,000 to 45,000 feet.
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Flights cancelled, diversions reported
Multiple airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India and KLM, have cancelled or diverted flights. Routes which connect India to the Middle East and Europe were the worst hit.
Air India announced the cancellation of multiple international and domestic flights, stating, "Our ground teams across the network are keeping passengers updated on their flight status and are providing immediate assistance, including hotel accommodation. We are making every effort to arrange alternative travel at the earliest."
Air India released a detailed list of flights cancelled on November 24 and 25 as part of its precautionary safety measures.
Cancelled Flights
24 Nov
AI 106 – Newark–Delhi
AI 102 – New York (JFK)–Delhi
AI 2204 – Dubai–Hyderabad
AI 2290 – Doha–Mumbai
AI 2212 – Dubai–Chennai
AI 2250 – Dammam–Mumbai
AI 2284 – Doha–Delhi
25 Nov
AI 2822 – Chennai–Mumbai
AI 2466 – Hyderabad–Delhi
AI 2444 / 2445 – Mumbai–Hyderabad–Mumbai
AI 2471 / 2472 – Mumbai–Kolkata–Mumbai
Akasa Air said that due to the ash plume, it was cancelling flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24 and 25.
IndiGo's Kannur–Abu Dhabi flight (6E 1433) was diverted to Ahmedabad on Monday to avoid the affected corridor. Another Indian carrier that flies into Abu Dhabi conducted detailed engine inspections before commencing its return journey, ANI reported.
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DGCA advisory and airport precautions
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory to airlines. DGCA asked airlines to "avoid altitudes and regions affected due to the volcanic ash after Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbin eruption on Sunday. Airports told to inspect runways for contamination and suspend operations if needed. Impact on air travel is likely," ANI reported.
Mumbai airport warned passengers that the airspace over some areas of West Asia was affected by the eruption, which could impact international routes.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted at about 8:30 am UTC, or 1.30 pm IST, on Sunday, in its first known activity in nearly 10,000 years. Volcanic ash was initially reported over parts of the Arabian Peninsula after the eruption, with cautionary notices issued to global airlines.
