India is gearing up for possible air travel disruptions after volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano was forecasted to drift towards the mainland. The eruption, which took place after nearly 12,000 years of dormancy, sent massive smoke plumes rising up to around 14km, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region close to the Eritrean border and about 800km from Addis Ababa, remained active for several hours. Following this, the DGCA issued advisories asking airlines to avoid the affected altitudes and regions. Officials noted that volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aircraft engines because its glass-like particles can melt at high temperatures, stick to turbine blades, and cause engine damage.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the drifting ash clouds are moving towards China. It also indicated that areas such as Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana could experience some ash influence. By Tuesday evening, the clouds were expected to clear away from Indian skies.

Air quality in Delhi continued to remain concerning. As per the Central Pollution Control Board’s morning bulletin, the city’s AQI stayed in the ‘very poor’ category at 360, after recording 382 earlier in the week and these ash clouds are expected to affect the city.

Flight operations have already felt the impact. Air India has cancelled at least 11 flights since Monday and has begun precautionary checks on aircraft that flew over regions where ash plumes were reported. The airline cancelled four more flights on Tuesday, including AI 2822 (Chennai–Mumbai), AI 2466 (Hyderabad–Delhi), AI 2444/2445 (Mumbai–Hyderabad–Mumbai), and AI 2471/2472 (Mumbai–Kolkata–Mumbai). Seven international flights were also called off earlier, including services on routes such as Newark–Delhi, New York (JFK)–Delhi, Dubai–Hyderabad, and Doha–Mumbai. 

Two international departures from Kochi airport were also cancelled as a safety measure. Cochin International Airport Limited confirmed that flights 6E1475 (Cochin–Dubai) and QP550 (Cochin–Jeddah) were halted due to the ash movement. Officials said operations would resume once conditions improve.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport issued a public advisory informing passengers that the volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has affected airspace over parts of West Asia and may disrupt select international routes. Travellers were encouraged to check their flight status with respective airlines before heading to the airport.

IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have assured passengers that their flight operations are being managed with safety as the highest priority as ash clouds from the Hayli Gubbi volcano continue to drift.