Ethiopian Volcano Eruption Sends Ash to Delhi, Hitting Flight Operations

Date: 26 November 2025

What happened

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on 23 November 2025 — the first major explosion in nearly 12,000 years.

The eruption released a massive ash and smoke plume reaching up to 14 kilometres high. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Ash cloud drifts across continents

High-altitude winds carried the ash cloud eastward across the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, eventually reaching India — notably over Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

The ash arrived over Indian skies around late Monday, 24 November, causing disruption to international and domestic flight paths. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Impact on flights and aviation

• Several airlines including Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo cancelled or redirected flights — especially international routes to Middle Eastern destinations. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Indian aviation authorities, including DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), issued safety advisories and alerted airlines to conduct inspections and avoid ash-affected airspace. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• The ash plume moved at altitudes between 15,000–25,000 feet, reaching peaks of 45,000 feet, making it hazardous even for high-altitude flights. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Safety response and clearing skies

Authorities from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and civil-aviation regulators monitored the plume’s movement. They stated that as of late Tuesday, satellite data showed the ash cloud had largely exited Indian airspace. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Weather agencies indicated the cloud was drifting toward China next. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

Meanwhile, officials said that there was no immediate cause for concern regarding urban air quality or major weather disruption — but advised caution in case finer ash or volcanic dust lingered. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Why aviation is especially vulnerable

Volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines, reduce visibility, and interfere with navigation systems — risks that grow significantly when ash mingles with high-altitude air routes. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Given these dangers, airlines and regulators often cancel flights or reroute aircraft when ash clouds are detected, even if ground-level air quality is unaffected. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Takeaway

The unexpected eruption of Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia shows how events in one remote corner of the world can have immediate repercussions thousands of kilometres away. For India, the ash plume meant scrambled flight plans, canceled tickets, and a reminder of how global air-travel systems remain vulnerable to natural events far beyond national borders. While skies have cleared now, authorities and travelers alike remain cautious — and more aware of volcanic ash as a hidden disruptor of modern connectivity.