Volcanic Ash from Ethiopia Disrupts Air Traffic in Northwest India

NEW DELHI, India — A massive ash cloud from the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia disrupted air traffic across Northwest India on Monday night. The ash plume, which emerged after the volcano’s first eruption in nearly 12,000 years on Sunday, affected states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the ash cloud stretched more than 10 kilometers high, sparing Delhi from significant air pollution despite the capital’s already struggling air quality. The cloud reached Delhi around 11 pm, but IMD officials said the impact would likely last only a few hours as it continued its eastward trajectory.

Airlines such as Akasa Air and IndiGo were forced to cancel or divert several flights due to the ash cloud. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued advisories to airlines, cautioning them to avoid certain altitudes and regions based on the latest guidance after the ash plume was detected over the Muscat Flight Information Region.

The cloud entered India through Rajasthan at 6:30 pm, traveling at speeds between 100 and 120 km/h. DGCA instructed airline operators to brief their personnel on protocols related to volcanic ash, emphasizing the need for immediate reporting of any unusual aircraft behavior, such as engine performance issues or smoke.

M Mohapatra, IMD Director General, explained that while the ash started affecting Gujarat and Rajasthan in the evening, the surface-level impact would be minimal. “It will appear as a hazy, cloudy sky with a slight rise in temperature,” he stated, adding that the plume contains largely volcanic ash and small particles that could contribute to temporary air pollution spikes.

As air quality in the National Capital Region approached ‘severe’ levels, with an AQI of 382 reported in Delhi at 4 pm, analysts expressed concern that the volcanic ash could exacerbate existing pollution. Sunil Dahiya from Envirocatalysts warned that airborne pollutants could combine with volcanic ash and worsen air quality.

In response to the situation, airlines like Akasa Air canceled flights to and from Jeddah and Abu Dhabi while IndiGo reported multiple cancellations stemming from affected routes. Officials at Mumbai airport noted that international flights were being rerouted via Pakistani airspace due to restrictions on Indian carriers.

With uncertainties around how long the ash may linger, the DGCA advised flight dispatch teams to stay updated with volcanic activity reports and be ready to suspend operations in affected airports. Airport operators were also directed to prepare for rapid inspections and clean-up procedures on runways and taxiways should ash contamination occur.

As monitoring continues, the DGCA reiterated the importance of remaining vigilant, using satellite imagery, and adhering to all advisories until the ash cloud dissipates.