The first eruption in over 10,000 years of the remote Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region has triggered a chain of events affecting air travel and raising safety alarms from Africa to India. As dense volcanic ash plumes drifted across countries, the DGCA issued urgent instructions to airlines — prompting cancellations, rerouting, and precautionary flight-checks to ensure passenger and aircraft safety.
🔎 What Happened: Hayli Gubbi Eruption & the Ash Plume’s Journey
- On 23 November 2025, Hayli Gubbi erupted — the first recorded eruption in thousands of years — sending ash plumes soaring up to 14 km (45,000 ft) into the atmosphere.
- High-altitude winds carried the ash and sulphur dioxide cloud across the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, reaching Yemen and Oman, then continuing eastward toward South Asia.
- By Monday evening (25 Nov), the ash cloud was reported to have entered western India, first touching Gujarat, before drifting over Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana and possibly further north and east.
✈️ Impact on Aviation: DGCA Issues Advisory — Flights Diverted or Cancelled
In view of the ash cloud hazard, the DGCA issued an “urgent operational advisory” to all Indian airlines and airports to avoid ash-affected airspace and flight levels, revise flight planning and fuel calculations, and report any suspected ash encounters immediately.
Consequently:
- Several flights were cancelled or diverted. For instance, an Akasa Air flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Ahmedabad. Other carriers including IndiGo and Air India also adjusted schedules.
- Air India reportedly cancelled 11 flights between Monday and Tuesday to conduct precautionary inspections on aircraft that might have flown through affected zones.
- Airports have been instructed to inspect runways, taxiways and aprons for ash contamination; operations may be restricted if surfaces are found unsafe.
The DGCA also asked airlines to monitor engine performance, cabin conditions (smoke or odour), and report any anomalies — a standard volcanic-ash safety protocol.
💨 Why This Matters: Risk of Volcanic Ash to Flights & Air Safety
Volcanic ash is highly abrasive and can severely damage aircraft engines, sensors, windscreens, and other critical systems. Previous incidents — including those involving commercial jets — have shown how flying through ash clouds can lead to engine failure and mandate emergency landings.
Experts warn that even if the ash plume drifts at high altitude (above 30,000 ft), the risk remains during takeoff/landing, or for aircraft transiting through contaminated corridors. Thus, the DGCA’s advisory and airlines’ cautionary response aim to preempt any safety hazards.
🛑 On-Ground Impacts: Air Travel Disruptions & Public Concern
- Several international and domestic routes have been affected, particularly flights to Middle East destinations and West-Asia corridors.
- Passengers faced disruptions, cancellations, or re-routing, leading to inconvenience and uncertainty — especially for travellers on holiday or business around the busy festive season.
- Airports and airlines have urged passengers to check flight status, remain flexible, and cooperate with airline instructions for safety.
🌐 Broader Implications: Connectivity, Monitoring and Preparedness
This incident highlights several key issues:
- Global vulnerability: A volcano eruption in East Africa can trigger disruptions thousands of kilometres away — as in India — underlining how connected global airspace is.
- Need for vigilant monitoring: Meteorological agencies, satellite observatories, and aviation authorities must closely track volcanic activity, ash-cloud trajectories, and issue timely advisories.
- Safety-first protocols: Airlines and airports must ensure readiness for ash events — including alternate flight planning, engine inspections, and passenger communications.
- Public awareness: Travellers should stay informed, monitor travel updates, and be prepared for possible delays or cancellations during such unprecedented events.
✅ Final Word: Disruption — Not Disaster (Yet)
Although the volcanic ash plume has caused notable disruptions in aviation and raised safety alerts, so far there is no report of major accidents or severe damage in India. Airlines and authorities remain on high alert, but proactive advisories and swift response appear to have mitigated the worst-case scenarios for now.
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi is a stark reminder of the far-reaching impacts of natural phenomena — and the importance of coordination, preparedness, and responsive governance in safeguarding air travel and public safety.
