Following the recent eruption of the Hayli Gubbi shield volcano in Ethiopia, a significant plume of volcanic ash has drifted eastward, causing disruptions to air travel across several regions, including parts of India. The volcano, which had been dormant for an estimated ten thousand years, erupted on Sunday, November 24, 2025, sending an ash cloud as high as 14 kilometers (45,000 feet) into the atmosphere.
The ash cloud has been tracked moving over countries such as Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and parts of India. Within India, forecast models from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated the influence of the plume over Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR. However, the IMD also projected that the ash would exit Indian airspace by 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 25, as it continued drifting towards China. Experts noted that since the ash was at high altitudes, it was unlikely to significantly worsen air quality on the ground in cities like Delhi.
In response to the hazard, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent operational advisory to all Indian airlines. The regulator mandated that operators strictly avoid all areas and flight altitudes affected by the volcanic ash. Airlines were directed to adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations accordingly. Additionally, they were instructed to immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including signs of engine performance anomalies or smoke/odour in the cabin. The advisory also called for airports to inspect runways for ash contamination and suspend operations if necessary.
As a precautionary measure, multiple Indian carriers modified their schedules. Air India cancelled at least eleven domestic and international flights on Monday and Tuesday to conduct safety checks on aircraft that had flown over affected regions. Akasa Air similarly cancelled scheduled flights to Middle Eastern destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi for the same period. Other carriers, including IndiGo and KLM, also reported disruptions, with some flights being cancelled or diverted due to the ash plume.
