Indian airlines Air India and Akasa Air cancelled multiple international flights on Tuesday after volcanic ash from a rare eruption in Ethiopia drifted into Indian airspace, posing potential risks to aviation safety.
According to reports, the cancellations followed a precautionary advisory issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Air India cancelled 11 flights over Monday and Tuesday as part of safety inspections on aircraft that had passed through certain affected air routes after the eruption.
Akasa Air also suspended several of its scheduled international services, particularly flights headed to Middle Eastern destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi.
Ash Cloud to Leave Indian Skies by 7:30 PM
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the volcanic ash cloud is now moving eastward toward China and is expected to completely exit Indian airspace by 7:30 pm on Tuesday.
Meteorological forecast models showed that the ash plume had influenced air quality over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, with a possibility of worsening pollution levels in these regions.
Rare Volcano Eruption After 10,000 Years
The eruption occurred at Hayli Gubbi, a shield volcano located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, which erupted on Sunday after remaining dormant for more than 10,000 years. The powerful eruption sent a massive ash plume rising up to 14 kilometers (about 45,000 feet) into the atmosphere, which then spread across the Red Sea and into South Asia.
The drifting ash cloud later affected airspace over Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and parts of India.
DGCA Issues Urgent Advisory to Airlines
In response to the developing situation, the DGCA on Monday released an urgent operational advisory for all Indian carriers. Airlines were directed to:
- Strictly avoid regions affected by volcanic ash
- Adjust flight routing, altitude, and fuel planning
- Immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including:
- Unusual engine performance
- Smoke or strange odours inside the cabin
The regulator emphasized that even small amounts of volcanic ash can severely damage aircraft engines and compromise passenger safety.
