In an urgent safety move, Air India has cancelled 11 flights between November 24–25 due to the spread of a volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano. The eruption, which reportedly sent ash as high as 14 km into the atmosphere, has disrupted flight operations and prompted a warning from India’s aviation regulator.

Ash Cloud Hits Indian Airspace

The ash plume, carried by high-altitude winds, has drifted from Ethiopia over the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, and into India’s western and northern skies. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab are particularly affected.

IMD officials report that while the cloud is several kilometers above ground, it could still pose a hazard to aircraft because of fine ash particles. The plume has been tracked travelling at a speed of 100–120 km/h, raising immediate safety concerns.

DGCA Advisory: Safety First

In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory to all Indian carriers and airports. Airlines have been instructed to avoid ash-affected altitudes, revise flight planning, and rework fuel strategies. DGCA also mandated post-flight inspections for any aircraft that may have flown through the ash cloud, advising checks for engine anomalies, cabin smoke, or any odour as signs of ash damage.

Airport operators have also been told to closely monitor runways, taxiways, and aprons for ash contamination. If deposits are detected, cleaning must be done before normal operations resume.

Flights Cancelled: Air India Responds

Air India stated that the 11 cancelled flights were grounded for precautionary inspections of aircraft potentially exposed to volcanic ash. Four flights are cancelled for Tuesday: AI 2822 (Chennai-Mumbai), AI 2466 (Hyderabad-Delhi), AI 2444 / 2445 (Mumbai-Hyderabad-Mumbai) and AI 2471 / 2472 (Mumbai-Kolkata-Mumbai). While, seven international flights had been cancelled on Monday which included AI 106 (Newark-Delhi), AI 102 (New York (JFK)-Delhi) and AI 2204 (Dubai-Hyderabad) and AI 2290 (Doha-Mumbai).

Air India emphasized that passenger safety remains its top priority, and that its operations team is closely monitoring the evolving situation.

Other Airlines Also Impacted

It’s not just Air India — Akasa Air, IndiGo, and international carriers like KLM have also cancelled or diverted several flights due to the ash plume. Specifically, Akasa Air suspended its Gulf-bound flights to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24–25, citing unsafe flying conditions.

Volcanic ash is highly dangerous for aircraft: its abrasive particles can damage engines, fuselage, and sensors. The DGCA has urged airlines to rely on satellite imagery, meteorological forecasts, and real-time reports to manage operations.

Authorities predict the ash plume will clear Indian airspace by late Tuesday, but they continue to monitor the situation closely. Airlines are on high alert, and further cancellations or route changes remain possible depending on wind shifts.

Passengers affected by the cancellations are advised to stay in contact with their airlines, routinely check their flight status, and make use of rebooking or refund options offered by carriers.