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By evening, IndiGo and Akasa Air had suspended several services operating on affected corridors, while other carriers remained on alert
Air travel disruption after volcanic eruption in Ethiopia | Image: File
Airlines have begun cancelling and redirecting flights to West Asia after a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia sent ash clouds into high-altitude air routes on Monday.
By evening, IndiGo and Akasa Air had suspended several services operating on affected corridors, while other carriers remained on alert as ash from Ethiopia’s Hauli Gubbi volcano drifted eastward toward India, carried by strong jet streams.
Akasa Air said in a statement that it had cancelled flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi, offering passengers refunds or complimentary rebooking within seven days.
“Our teams are closely monitoring the situation in line with international aviation advisories and safety protocols, and will take all necessary measures as required. At Akasa Air, the safety and well-being of our passengers remains our highest priority,” the airline said.
Similarly, IndiGo issued a statement, saying: “Our teams are closely tracking the situation in coordination with international aviation bodies. We are fully prepared with all necessary precautions to ensure safe and reliable operations. Our 6E teams are available across all touchpoints to support you with any assistance you may need. We will continue to monitor the developments round the clock and keep you informed of any updates to help minimise inconvenience (if any).”
The volcano, situated in Ethiopia’s Afar Rift, erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 10,000 years, sending a thick column of ash soaring nearly 45,000 feet into the atmosphere.
The plume, moving northeast at around 100–120 kmph, is expected to reach Indian airspace within hours.
On Monday, IndiGo’s Kannur–Abu Dhabi flight (6E1433) was diverted to Ahmedabad because of the drifting ash cloud.
DGCA Order
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) too directed all Indian carriers to rework their flight plans, adjust fuel requirements, and strictly avoid airspace and altitudes affected by the volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption.
In its advisory, the aviation regulator instructed airlines to ensure that flight crew and aircraft engineers adhere to all established safety procedures for operating in or near volcanic ash.
“Airlines must maintain continuous monitoring of the situation. Any suspected encounter with ash must be reported immediately,” the DGCA said.
The regulator further asked operators to review their manuals to confirm that all guidelines related to volcanic ash, such as post-flight engine and airframe inspections for aircraft that may have flown near the affected zone, are fully implemented.
Airlines have also been told to keep a close watch on volcanic ash advisories, NOTAMs/ASHTAMs, and relevant meteorological updates.
The DGCA emphasised that flight crew and dispatch teams must ensure “strict avoidance of all published volcanic-ash-affected areas and flight levels,” and adjust routing, planning, and fuel calculations based on the latest advisories.
The directive followed the Airports Authority of India’s issuance of an ASHTAM and a volcanic ash advisory.
An ASHTAM is a specialised alert issued when volcanic ash poses a direct threat to aviation, providing precise details on the ash cloud’s location, altitude, and movement.
Unlike a general NOTAM, which notifies pilots about routine or temporary changes such as runway closures or airspace restrictions, an ASHTAM is a targeted warning specifically for volcanic contamination.
November 24, 2025, 21:54 IST
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