Air Travel Impacted as Ethiopia Volcano Erupts; Air India, Akasa Cancel Flights

NEW DELHI — Two of India’s major airlines, Air India and Akasa Air, have canceled multiple flights this week after a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia sent massive ash plumes into flight paths, disrupting air travel across parts of Asia and the Middle East.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in recorded history, spewing volcanic ash up to 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) into the atmosphere. By Tuesday, the ash cloud had traveled across Yemen and Oman, reaching parts of Pakistan and northern India, according to data from flight tracking service Flightradar24.

In response to the potential hazard, Air India canceled 11 flights on Monday and Tuesday. The airline stated it was conducting precautionary inspections on aircraft that had flown through affected airspace, following guidance from India’s aviation regulatory authority.

Akasa Air also canceled several flights scheduled to destinations in the Middle East, including Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. Both airlines are working to inform affected passengers and adjust schedules as they monitor the evolving situation.

Volcanic ash poses serious risks to aircraft, including potential engine failure, reduced visibility, and damage to critical systems. As a result, airlines often reroute or cancel flights when ash clouds are detected along flight paths.

Aviation authorities continue to track the movement of the ash plume, and further schedule adjustments remain possible until the volcanic activity subsides and airspace conditions return to normal.

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