Ethiopian Volcano Ash Reaches Delhi: Airlines on High Alert as Flights Hit

Meteorologists had been tracking the ash cloud for over 24 hours as it travelled across the Red Sea, accelerated by upper-level winds moving at nearly 130 kmph, and entered the Indian subcontinent via western Rajasthan late Monday evening.

A Sky Out of a Sci-Fi Movie

According to the India Met Sky Weather alert, the ash layer is currently suspended between 25,000 and 45,000 feet—high enough to spare ground-level health but low enough to pose serious danger to aircraft engines.

“Skies may look weird and funny for a while, but there’s little to worry about on the ground,”
meteorological officials said, adding that unusual sunrise colours are expected on Tuesday.

By midnight, the plume stretched across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, with its tail brushing parts of Gujarat, while Punjab, western UP foothills, and Himachal Pradesh were forecast to see impacts overnight.

Experts said while light ash precipitation cannot be ruled out, Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain “bad as usual”, regardless of volcanic influence.

Aviation on High Alert: DGCA Issues Emergency Advisory

With the ash cloud expanding unpredictably over West Asia and the Subcontinent, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an emergency advisory late Monday, instructing all Indian carriers to:

• Avoid ash-affected airspace and flight levels
• Revise fuel planning and re-route flights
• Monitor NOTAMs, ASHTAMs, and global volcanic ash advisories
• Report any unusual engine behaviour, cabin smell, or sensor discrepancies

“Strict avoidance is mandatory,” the DGCA warned, citing potential hazards including engine flameouts, window abrasion, and loss of visibility.

Although the ash over India is presently at cruising altitudes well above typical takeoff and landing paths, the regulator said the evolving situation over the Arabian Peninsula and Muscat FIR required “maximum vigilance.”

Flights Hit Across India and Beyond

Flight disruptions began Monday evening as international routes intersecting the ash corridor were rerouted or cancelled.

Flight Cancellations So Far

• IndiGo Cochin–Dubai (6E1475) — Cancelled
• Akasa Air Cochin–Jeddah (QP550) — Cancelled
• KLM Amsterdam–Delhi (KL 871) — Cancelled
• KLM Delhi–Amsterdam (KL 872) — Cancelled

Cochin International Airport confirmed that operations would resume once ash advisories improve.

Airlines Respond

• Air India said it is monitoring the ash cloud but has reported no major impact so far.
• IndiGo stated it is “fully prepared with necessary precautions”.
• SpiceJet warned passengers of possible disruptions, especially on Dubai-bound routes.
• Akasa Air said it is tracking international advisories and will take action as required.

Airlines across the Middle East and Southeast Asia have also issued caution messages for passengers flying through ash-sensitive corridors.

A Rare Event With Global Ripples

Hayli Gubbi’s eruption—its first in nearly 10 millennia—has thrust the scientific community into high alert. The volcano sent a powerful column of ash, rock fragments and sulphur dioxide into the upper atmosphere, where fast-moving winds carried it thousands of kilometres within hours.

India’s weather services say the plume may linger in northern skies for another 12–24 hours, depending on upper-level wind shifts.

What to Expect Next

• Unusual sky colours at sunrise
• Temporary changes in visibility at high altitudes
• Possible re-routing of international flights
• Mild aviation turbulence near ash boundaries
• Minimal impact on ground-level health

With advisories still being updated, airlines and travellers are bracing for a dynamic 24 hours ahead, as India watches the skies for one of the rarest atmospheric events in recent memory.