Air travel in parts of India saw major disruptions on Monday after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption drifted into the country’s western and northern skies. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a detailed advisory to airlines and airports as the ash cloud moved rapidly across states.

The ash plume, travelling at high speeds and very high altitudes, first entered Gujarat and then spread towards Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. The cloud contains volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and tiny glass-like particles that can seriously damage aircraft engines.

Airlines have begun cancelling or diverting flights to avoid the dangerous air corridor. Airports have also been told to stay alert and check runways and surrounding areas for ash deposits that could affect aircraft safety.

Several carriers, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, and KLM, have already changed flight schedules. The ash cloud is expected to move further across northern India through the night.

IndiGo’s Kannur–Abu Dhabi flight (6E 1433) diverted to Ahmedabad to avoid the affected zone. Another airline operating a flight to Abu Dhabi carried out detailed engine checks before flying back, as reported by ANI.

The aviation regulator has issued strict guidelines, asking airlines to:

  • Stay away from ash-affected routes

  • Rework flight plans

  • Immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including engine issues or unusual smells in the cabin

  • Exercise caution during takeoff and landing

Airports have been told to check runways, taxiways, and aprons for ash and temporarily halt operations if any contamination is found.

Weather service IndiaMetSky reported that the ash cloud entered Gujarat around Monday evening. It said:
"Ash cloud is about to enter Gujarat (West side) and move towards Rajasthan, northwest Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab by 10 pm, and later it will impact the Himalayas and other regions."

Mumbai airport also cautioned travellers about delays, stating: "A volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has affected airspace over parts of West Asia, which may impact some international routes."

Early signs of the ash plume were seen near Jamnagar around 5.30 pm, prompting further monitoring and flight disruptions in Delhi and Jaipur sectors.

Akasa Air said flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on 24 and 25 November have been cancelled due to the volcanic ash spreading across the region. Many Europe- and Middle East-bound routes are experiencing delays as airlines adjust their paths to avoid the ash.

Ethiopia volcano erupts after 10,000 years

The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on Sunday around 1.30 pm IST (8:30 am UTC), its first activity in nearly 10,000 years. The eruption sent ash high into the atmosphere, which later drifted toward the Arabian Peninsula. Airlines in the Middle East issued warnings soon after, though no advisory had initially indicated any ash drifting toward India.