Aviation / Flights Rerouted, Cancelled as Volcanic Ash From Ethiopia Engulfs Delhi Sky
·4 months ago·4 min read
Key Points
- Volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption reached Delhi late Monday at high altitude.
- DGCA issued advisories to airlines to avoid ash-affected airspace and revise routes.
- Multiple international flights, including services from Kochi and Delhi, were cancelled as a precaution.
New Delhi, Nov 25: A plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano entered the skies over Delhi around 11 pm on Monday, after travelling across the Red Sea and northwest India at nearly 130 kmph. The volcano, dormant for almost 10,000 years, erupted on Sunday, sending enormous quantities of ash and sulphur dioxide into the upper atmosphere.
Weather trackers said the plume first crossed into India over western Rajasthan. “The ash cloud has now entered the Indian subcontinent from the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer region and is moving northeast at 120–130 kmph,” a bulletin from India Met Sky Weather Alert stated. Forecasters added that while the sky may appear unusual for several hours, the ash remains between 25,000 and 45,000 feet and is unlikely to pose immediate risks at ground level.
Also Read: Bay of Bengal Braces for Possible Cyclone ‘Senyar’, Check IMD's Forecast For Odisha
By late evening, the cloud extended across Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, with its trailing edge expected to skim parts of Gujarat. Meteorologists also cautioned that Punjab, the western foothills of Uttar Pradesh, and portions of Himachal Pradesh could see minor impacts overnight. Experts said that most of the ash was too high to pose direct respiratory concerns, although light deposition was possible. Sunrise on Tuesday could bring enhanced atmospheric scattering, producing dramatic sky colours even as local air quality is expected to remain poor due to prevailing pollution levels.
Aviation on Alert
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory to all Indian airlines after international volcanic ash alerts were released by Toulouse, the Airports Authority of India, and an ASHTAM notification highlighting hazardous conditions in parts of the Muscat Flight Information Region.
Airlines were instructed to revise flight routes and fuel planning and avoid ash-affected airspace entirely. “Strict avoidance of volcanic ash-affected areas and flight levels is mandatory,” the advisory warned. Pilots were told to report any abnormal engine performance, smoke or odour in cabins immediately, while dispatch and operations teams were instructed to monitor NOTAMs, ASHTAMs and real-time meteorological data through the night.
Although the cloud drifting over India remains at high altitude and is unlikely to impact takeoffs or landings, officials said its unpredictable movement across West Asia calls for constant vigilance. The DGCA said possible air travel disruption cannot be ruled out, depending on updated assessments on Tuesday.
Flights Disrupted
Flight operations began to feel the impact along routes intersecting the ash corridor. Two international departures from Kochi were cancelled on Monday as a precaution -- IndiGo’s Kochi–Dubai service (6E 1475) and Akasa Air’s Koch-Jeddah flight (QP 550), according to PTI. Cochin International Airport Limited said flights would resume once conditions stabilise.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines also cancelled its Amsterdam–Delhi flight (KL 871) and the return Delhi–Amsterdam service (KL 872), citing the volcanic ash conditions.
Air India said in a late-night statement on X that volcanic ash had been detected across certain international routes and that the airline was closely monitoring developments without major impact so far.
SpiceJet also issued a caution to passengers travelling through the Middle East, warning that ash over parts of the Arabian Peninsula “may impact flight operations” and advising travellers to check their latest flight status.
Weather trackers said the plume first crossed into India over western Rajasthan. “The ash cloud has now entered the Indian subcontinent from the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer region and is moving northeast at 120–130 kmph,” a bulletin from India Met Sky Weather Alert stated. Forecasters added that while the sky may appear unusual for several hours, the ash remains between 25,000 and 45,000 feet and is unlikely to pose immediate risks at ground level.
Also Read: Bay of Bengal Braces for Possible Cyclone ‘Senyar’, Check IMD's Forecast For Odisha
By late evening, the cloud extended across Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, with its trailing edge expected to skim parts of Gujarat. Meteorologists also cautioned that Punjab, the western foothills of Uttar Pradesh, and portions of Himachal Pradesh could see minor impacts overnight. Experts said that most of the ash was too high to pose direct respiratory concerns, although light deposition was possible. Sunrise on Tuesday could bring enhanced atmospheric scattering, producing dramatic sky colours even as local air quality is expected to remain poor due to prevailing pollution levels.
Aviation on Alert
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory to all Indian airlines after international volcanic ash alerts were released by Toulouse, the Airports Authority of India, and an ASHTAM notification highlighting hazardous conditions in parts of the Muscat Flight Information Region.
Airlines were instructed to revise flight routes and fuel planning and avoid ash-affected airspace entirely. “Strict avoidance of volcanic ash-affected areas and flight levels is mandatory,” the advisory warned. Pilots were told to report any abnormal engine performance, smoke or odour in cabins immediately, while dispatch and operations teams were instructed to monitor NOTAMs, ASHTAMs and real-time meteorological data through the night.
Although the cloud drifting over India remains at high altitude and is unlikely to impact takeoffs or landings, officials said its unpredictable movement across West Asia calls for constant vigilance. The DGCA said possible air travel disruption cannot be ruled out, depending on updated assessments on Tuesday.
Flights Disrupted
Flight operations began to feel the impact along routes intersecting the ash corridor. Two international departures from Kochi were cancelled on Monday as a precaution -- IndiGo’s Kochi–Dubai service (6E 1475) and Akasa Air’s Koch-Jeddah flight (QP 550), according to PTI. Cochin International Airport Limited said flights would resume once conditions stabilise.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines also cancelled its Amsterdam–Delhi flight (KL 871) and the return Delhi–Amsterdam service (KL 872), citing the volcanic ash conditions.
Air India said in a late-night statement on X that volcanic ash had been detected across certain international routes and that the airline was closely monitoring developments without major impact so far.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) November 24, 2025
Following the volcanic eruption in Ethiopia, ash clouds have been observed over certain geographical regions. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant touch with our operating crew. There is no major impact on Air India flights at this time.…
SpiceJet also issued a caution to passengers travelling through the Middle East, warning that ash over parts of the Arabian Peninsula “may impact flight operations” and advising travellers to check their latest flight status.
#TravelAdvisory: Due to a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia, volcanic ash activity has been reported across parts of the Arabian Peninsula. This may impact flight operations for aircraft flying through these regions. As safety remains our top priority, our Flight Operations and…
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) November 24, 2025
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