Long-dormant Ethiopian volcano triggers major aviation disruption across India and West Asia
KNT News Room
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Flight operations across India and parts of West Asia were disrupted on Tuesday after the long dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano in northern Ethiopia erupted for the first time in over 12,000 years, sending a massive ash cloud sweeping across the Red Sea and into South Asia.
Authorities said the eruption occurred in Ethiopia’s Afar region on Sunday morning, coating nearby villages in ash. The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program confirmed that the volcano had no known activity during the entire Holocene period. Satellite images from the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center showed the plume rising nearly 14 km before drifting westward.
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An IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Ahmedabad after encountering the ash laden zone. The airline said the aircraft landed safely and that an alternative service for Kannur bound passengers would be arranged. Several other carriers including Akasa Air and KLM cancelled or rerouted international flights as the ash cloud advanced across Yemen, Oman, parts of Pakistan and India.
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India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a detailed advisory asking airlines to modify routes, avoid ash affected flight levels, adjust fuel planning and immediately report any suspected ash encounter including engine fluctuations. Airport operators were asked to inspect runways and taxiways for potential contamination.
Officials said the ash plume reached New Delhi on Monday night after travelling more than 4,000 kilometres from the eruption site. According to the IMD, the cloud is expected to clear Indian airspace by 7:30 PM today before moving toward China.
Air India announced additional cancellations on Tuesday and said ground teams were assisting affected passengers and arranging alternate travel options. KNT
