In an extraordinary geological event, Ethiopia’s long-silent Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending massive ash plumes thousands of kilometres across continents and triggering significant aviation disruptions. The unexpected eruption shocked scientists and aviation authorities alike, as the ash cloud travelled over the Red Sea and began drifting toward India, Pakistan, Yemen, and Oman, forcing airlines to alter routes and cancel flights.
The eruption, which began Sunday morning around 8:30 am UTC (13:30 IST), shot dense volcanic ash nearly 14 kilometres into the sky. Though volcanic activity has since subsided, meteorologists warn that the heavy ash plume continues to drift eastward, posing potential risks to aircraft engines and visibility.
India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), promptly issued advisories for all domestic and international airlines, urging them to avoid affected routes and altitudes to ensure passenger safety. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and KLM, announced cancellations or diversions.
The event marks one of the most significant volcanic impacts on civil aviation since the 2010 Icelandic Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which crippled air travel across Europe.
A Dormant Giant Awakens: What Triggered the Eruption
Hayli Gubbi lies in Ethiopia’s geologically active Rift Valley, where constant tectonic movements create conditions for powerful volcanic activity. Scientists note that the volcano sits along a boundary where the African tectonic plate is slowly splitting — a region known for earthquakes and rare but explosive eruptions.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano last erupted an estimated 10,000–12,000 years ago, making this sudden reactivation a major point of scientific interest.
Eyewitnesses described towering plumes of ash darkening the sky, covering nearby towns in layers of dust, and forcing local authorities to sound emergency warnings. Images from the region showed vast clouds drifting rapidly into upper atmospheric levels, carried by strong winds toward Asia.
Ash Cloud Heading Toward Northern India — Weather Agencies on Alert
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), responsible for monitoring hazardous ash clouds, confirmed that although the eruption itself has paused, the massive ash plume is now moving toward northern India.
This triggered immediate alerts from meteorological departments, who are tracking the cloud’s path minute by minute.
Upper-atmosphere ash can severely affect:
- Aircraft engines
- Visibility
- Satellite communication
- Weather patterns
- Air quality at high altitudes
While experts say the ash is unlikely to cause ground-level health hazards in India at this stage, flight operations remain the biggest concern.
Airlines Respond: Cancellations, Diversions, and Passenger Advisories
The eruption has already disrupted international air traffic:
Flights Affected
- Akasa Air, IndiGo, and KLM cancelled selected flights.
- Several UAE-bound flights reported diversions.
- Some European routes using air corridors near the affected region were re-routed.
DGCA Advisory
India’s aviation regulator urged all carriers to:
- Avoid affected regions
- Adjust altitudes
- Recalculate fuel-load requirements
- Re-plan routes to prevent ash encounters
Airlines have been instructed to maintain continuous ash-monitoring with updated satellite feeds.
IndiGo Statement
IndiGo said it is monitoring the situation and remains “fully prepared with all necessary safety precautions.”
Air India Update
Air India said none of its flights have been affected so far, but the carrier is “closely watching the movement of ash clouds.”
SpiceJet Advisory
SpiceJet warned passengers traveling to/from Dubai that potential disruptions may occur.
Akasa Air Statement
The airline emphasised passenger safety:
“We are closely monitoring volcanic activity and will take necessary action as required.”
India’s Major Airports Issue Alerts
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport issued an urgent advisory warning passengers that certain international routes “may be impacted” due to ash.
Travellers were urged to:
- Check flight status before leaving home
- Contact their airline directly
- Monitor airport bulletins
Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad ATCs also increased their meteorological surveillance due to the ash drift.
Why Volcanic Ash Is Dangerous for Aircraft
Volcanic ash is extremely hazardous because:
- It contains microscopic glass-like particles that melt inside jet engines
- Ash clouds can shut down engines mid-air
- Visibility becomes dangerously low
- It damages aircraft windshields, sensors, and wings
For this reason, even small amounts of volcanic ash in flight routes result in widespread global flight disruptions.
What Happens Next?
Meteorologists expect the ash plume to thin out over the coming days as winds disperse it across the Indian Ocean and South Asia. However, the next 24–48 hours remain crucial for aviation authorities.
Geologists will continue to assess whether Hayli Gubbi may erupt again, as secondary explosions are common after major volcanic events.
This unexpected eruption has highlighted the need for advanced monitoring systems in Africa’s Rift Valley — one of the world’s most rapidly changing geological zones.
