India Faces Flight Delays as Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano Spews Ash Across Air Routes

On November 23, 2025, Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano erupted after a 12,000-year dormancy. Located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, approximately 800km northeast of Addis Ababa, near the Eritrean border, thick plumes of smoke have been observed rising to 14km into the sky. Moreover, the eruption of the volcano has been forecasted to drift towards mainland India, urging airlines to steer clear of the affected altitudes and regions. The DGCA has issued advisories for flight safety and uninterrupted air travel. 

Impact of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano 

Volcano Hayli Gubbi Eruption 1,709 ft volcano in Ethiopia.
First eruption ever recorded today (Nov 23, 2025): explosive ash plume 6–9 miles high, drifting toward Yemen/Oman pic.twitter.com/TKfhHn8wp7 — DisasterAlert (@DisasterAlert2) November 24, 2025

The Hayli Gubbi volcano, which rises approximately 500 meters in altitude, is perched within the Rift Valley. It is a zone of intense geological activity where two tectonic plates meet. According to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), ash has been extensively spewed from the volcano and drifted over Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan. 

Since it is forecasted that the thick plumes may drift towards mainland India, the aviation industry has braced for potential disruption to air travel. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued advisories, urging airlines to avoid flying over the vulnerable and affected regions. Additionally, the authorities have been requested to report any suspected impact of ash on engine performance anomalies, cabin smoke,  or odour. 

On the other hand, as the large plume of smoke continues to rise into the sky, airports have been instructed to inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons for contamination and suspend or restrict flight operations, if necessary. 

Flight Cancellation Due to Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption

Following the recent eruption of the #HayliGubbi volcano in #Ethiopia, ash clouds are reported to be drifting towards parts of western India. We understand that such news may cause concern, and we want to reassure you that your safety remains our highest priority. Our teams are… — IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 24, 2025

As of November 24, 2025, around 10 p.m., flights KL 871 Amsterdam to Delhi and KL 872 Delhi to Amsterdam have been cancelled due to an ash cloud caused by the volcanic eruption. The clouds have stretched over the northern Arabian Sea, compelling airlines such as Akasa Air, IndiGo, and KLM to cancel some of the flights.

Akasa Air has stated that its flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24 and 25 have been cancelled. Whereas IndiGo, in a post on X, said, “Following the recent eruption of the #HayliGubbi volcano in #Ethiopia, ash clouds are reported to be drifting towards parts of western India. We understand that such news may cause concern, and we want to reassure you that your safety remains our highest priority“. Nonetheless, it is expected that the plumes could further plummet the air quality in Delhi, its neighbouring areas, and Uttar Pradesh.