Ethiopia's Ancient Volcano Erupts, Sending Ash Plume Across Asia and Disrupting Flights
The unexpected eruption of Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, a shield volcano dormant for an astonishing 12,000 years, has sent a significant ash plume eastward, causing temporary disruptions and heightened alert levels, particularly across India's aviation sector. The event, which commenced on Sunday, November 23, 2025, saw an ash cloud soar to approximately 14 kilometers (45,000 feet) before beginning its extensive journey over the Red Sea, the Arabian Peninsula, and eventually towards the Indian subcontinent.
Vigilant Monitoring by Indian Authorities
Indian authorities, spearheaded by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), have maintained a high state of vigilance. Their collaborative efforts focused on meticulously tracking the ash plume's trajectory and assessing its potential impact. While the volcanic ash did reach parts of northern and western India, affecting airspace conditions, experts like Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the IMD, provided crucial clarity. He confirmed that the ash's presence was confined to the upper troposphere, alleviating concerns about ground-level air quality or local weather disruptions. However, this altitude directly intersected with the operational range of international and domestic flights, typically between 25,000 and 40,000 feet.
Aviation Sector Responds to Disruptions
The aviation industry acted swiftly in response to the unfolding situation. Major carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air, promptly issued advisories and implemented precautionary measures. Over Monday and Tuesday, numerous international and domestic flights experienced cancellations and delays. Air India, for instance, cancelled at least 11 flights, affecting routes to Newark, New York, Dubai, and Doha, and initiated rigorous precautionary checks on its fleet that had flown through affected regions.
Key airports across India also issued warnings to travellers. Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) and Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport advised passengers to confirm their flight status directly with airlines before travelling. Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in Kochi reported the cancellation of two international flights as a direct precaution.
Ash Plume Shifts Eastward, Skies Clear for India
Timely updates from the IMD were instrumental in managing public and aviation industry expectations. Forecasts indicated that while regions like Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana would experience ash influence, the plume was transient. By approximately 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, the IMD predicted that the ash clouds would have entirely moved away from Indian skies, continuing their eastward drift towards China. This provided a clear timeline for the cessation of flight disruptions over India.
The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) further reported that the explosive eruption, which commenced around 8:30 am UTC on Sunday, had since ceased, though the remnant ash plume continued its global journey. Despite initial apprehensions, particularly concerning Delhi's already "very poor" air quality, the IMD reassured the public that the volcanic ash was not contributing to ground-level pollution.
This event served as a powerful reminder of the global interconnectedness of natural phenomena and highlighted the advanced, coordinated monitoring systems essential for managing their far-reaching implications on international air travel and safety protocols.