Airlines cancel and reroute flights as volcanic ash from Ethiopian volcano drifts into India and the Gulf
November 25, 2025
A vast plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano has triggered disruption across international air corridors linking India, the Gulf and Europe, creating one of the most significant ash-related aviation events in recent years.
The timing could not have been worse. Northern India is already grappling with its annual winter smog, and the arrival of the high-altitude plume added a new layer of operational uncertainty for airlines and meteorological authorities on Monday and Tuesday.
WATCH: The Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia Erupted for the First Time in Thousands of Years pic.twitter.com/eREhOxlEBK
— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) November 25, 2025
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the ash cloud, travelling at 100 to 150 kmph, drifted across the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula before entering Indian airspace over Gujarat and Rajasthan. It later reached Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Although the ash did not worsen ground-level air quality, it interfered heavily with aircraft routing, causing diversions, delays and precautionary cancellations.
Ethiopian volcano eruption sends long-range ash cloud towards India
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday for the first time in almost 12,000 years, sending an ash column up to 14 to 15 km high into the atmosphere. At this altitude, within the lower stratosphere, particles can travel huge distances via the subtropical jet stream.
Today's Hayli Gubbi (volcanic) eruption seen from space
— Science & Astronomy (@sci_astronomy) November 24, 2025
There are no known eruptions on record from the Hayli Gubbi in the past several thousands of years, which could mean it erupted after a potentially very long repose interval; however, records from the Danakil region are… pic.twitter.com/jaHvqMKZvQ
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) began issuing alerts early on Sunday, prompting airlines across the Middle East and South Asia to review routing and determine safe flight levels. The plume then travelled across Yemen and Oman before sweeping into India on Monday night.
An IMD official said the plume was being tracked minute by minute using satellite data, international VAAC bulletins and trajectory models. Although the cloud remained aloft, it still created material risks for aviation because of its height, density and the potential for engine ingestion.
India flight delays and cancellations as volcanic ash enters airspace
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) experienced at least seven overseas cancellations and more than a dozen delays on Tuesday. Routes to Hong Kong, Dubai, Jeddah, Helsinki, Kabul and Frankfurt were among the most affected.
#ImportantAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) November 25, 2025
The following Air India flights have been cancelled as we carry out precautionary checks on those aircraft which had flown over certain geographical locations after the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption.
Our ground teams across the network are keeping passengers…
Air India cancelled 13 flights across two days, saying the move was required to complete precautionary inspections on aircraft that may have passed close to affected corridors.
Akasa Air suspended all flights to Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi from 24 to 25 November, citing “hazardous volcanic ash plumes” across Gulf air routes.
#TravelUpdate We are closely monitoring the volcanic activity in Ethiopia and its potential impact on flight operations in nearby regions. Our teams will continue to assess the situation in compliance with international aviation advisories and safety protocols and take necessary…
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) November 24, 2025
IndiGo and SpiceJet also issued advisories warning of diversions and extended flight times. Mumbai and Bengaluru airports noted that services to West Asia could face intermittent delays depending on VAAC updates.
Following the recent eruption of the #HayliGubbi volcano in #Ethiopia, ash clouds are reported to be drifting towards parts of western India. We understand that such news may cause concern, and we want to reassure you that your safety remains our highest priority.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 24, 2025
Our teams are…
Beyond India, the ash cloud also triggered cancellations in the Gulf and Europe. KLM suspended its Amsterdam to Delhi rotation on Monday and Tuesday, citing the need to avoid contaminated upper-air corridors.
In the UAE, Air Arabia cancelled multiple services from Sharjah to destinations including Kuwait, Damascus, Kabul, Sohar, Islamabad, Entebbe, Doha and Cairo, warning that the ash plume had affected regional routing at cruise altitudes.
Emirates, Etihad and flydubai reported no significant disruptions, although regional aviation authorities noted that intermittent delays across the Gulf were likely as long as VAAC advisories continued.
Why volcanic ash poses a major risk to aircraft engines and flight safety
Volcanic ash poses a unique danger to jet engines. Fine particles can melt inside the engine core, clog cooling pathways and result in thrust loss or flameouts. Ash can also scratch windscreens, damage sensors and reduce visibility for both pilots and onboard systems.
Although this cloud remained between 25,000 and 45,000 feet, many long-haul international flights cruise precisely within that band.
A senior Indian airline commander said, “Most Gulf, Europe and East Asia routes climb through or cruise inside these levels. Even a small encounter with volcanic ash can compromise engine integrity. The only safe option is avoidance.”
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory instructing airlines to avoid ash-affected airspace, revise fuel plans and assess alternative flight levels.
Volcanic ash plume tracking intensifies as cloud moves towards China
India’s Met Watch Offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata issued ICAO SIGMET alerts, while international coordination continued with the UK Met Office, Toulouse VAAC and Middle Eastern air navigation providers.
Oman’s Environment Authority confirmed ash detections at around 35,000 feet over parts of the Arabian Sea but noted that ground-level impacts were minimal. Pakistan’s meteorological agency also warned of ash entering its airspace late Monday.
The ash cloud from the erupting Hayli Gubbi volcano in northern Ethiopia on November 23rd continues to move east. The Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, one of nine VAACs worldwide, has now taken over responsibility for the so-called ‘ash event. pic.twitter.com/6H2JV3H4Zb
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 25, 2025
The IMD expects the plume to shift northeast towards China by Tuesday evening, dispersing gradually in the upper atmosphere.
Delhi-NCR’s skies turned noticeably murkier as the ash passed overhead, compounding the visual effect of the region’s winter haze. However, forecasters stressed that the volcanic material remained at high altitude and did not add to local pollution.
NASA satellite imagery showed dramatic plumes rising from the eruption site, stretching over the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula before curving towards India and Pakistan.
For scientists, the event is significant because Hayli Gubbi has no recorded eruptions in the modern era. But for airline passengers, the advice remains to check with operators before travelling to ensure the flight is going ahead.
