A plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia traveled into northern India, causing interruptions to air travel in India.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advise to airlines and airports following the cancellation of several flights.
On November 24 and 25, Akasa Air canceled its flights to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, while IndiGo cancelled at least six local and foreign flights.
“Ash clouds are reportedly drifting towards parts of western India following the recent eruption of the #HayliGubbi volcano in #Ethiopia,” IndiGo posted on social media site X.
“We want to reassure you that your safety remains our highest priority, and we understand that such news may cause concern,” the statement continued.
In order to avoid the ash cloud, a few more flights were rerouted. Operations have also been impacted by international carriers.
KLM Due to the ash cloud, Royal Dutch Airlines canceled both its Amsterdam-Delhi flight (KL 871) and the return Delhi-Amsterdam service (KL 872).
An ASHTAM notice, a special aviation warning for volcanic ash, was issued by the DGCA.
Airlines were advised to steer clear of impacted flight altitudes and adhere to all volcanic ash safety protocols.
Additionally, the agency ordered airlines to report any potential ash encounter—including engine problems, strange odors, or smoke in the cabin—right once.
Many foreign airlines started rerouting flights via Pakistani airspace as a result of airspace limitations.
However, Indian airlines are unable to operate on such routes, which has led to an increase in delays and cancellations.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia, which erupted on Sunday after over 12,000 years, is the source of the volcanic ash.
The eruption subsequently expanded over the northern Arabian Sea after sending a dense ash plume across the Red Sea in the direction of Yemen and Oman.
Dense portions of the cloud are currently traveling over Delhi, Haryana, and adjacent areas of Uttar Pradesh, according to weather services.
Although experts claim that the ash may have an impact on air quality, the likelihood is still minimal because the plume is still at a high altitude.
Airports have been instructed to check for any indication of ash settling on runways, taxiways, and aircraft parking areas.
Additionally, operators have been required to constantly monitor weather forecasts and satellite imagery for changes.
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