Hayli Gubbi Volcano Eruption Disrupts Flights Between India and Gulf
A long-dormant volcano in Ethiopia has snarled air travel across the Middle East and South Asia, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays on critical routes between India and the Gulf region.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region, dormant for nearly 12,000 years, erupted violently on Sunday, spewing a massive plume of volcanic ash tens of thousands of feet into the atmosphere. Located in the active Great Rift Valley, this event is historically significant, as the volcano had shown no activity throughout the entire Holocene epoch.
The resulting ash cloud, carried eastward by wind patterns over the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, directly impacted some of the world’s busiest flight corridors.
India-Gulf Air Routes Hardest Hit
Airlines operating between India and Gulf countries faced immediate disruptions. Akasa Air was forced to cancel all its flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi for two days as a precautionary measure. In a notable incident, an IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted mid-air to Ahmedabad to avoid the hazardous ash-affected airspace.
In response, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a strict advisory, directing airlines to avoid regions contaminated by volcanic ash. The directive mandated immediate reporting of any ash-related issues, such as engine anomalies or cabin air quality concerns, followed by prompt safety inspections.
The ripple effects led to cancellations and delays on several routes, including key connections like Kochi–Jeddah, Kochi–Dubai, and even longer-haul flights such as Delhi–Amsterdam.
UAE Airlines Maintain Operations Amid Vigilance
Despite the widespread disruptions, major UAE-based carriers like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai reported that their operations continued normally with no immediate cancellations attributed to the ash cloud.
However, the situation remains fluid. Airlines and travel agencies in the UAE are maintaining a state of heightened vigilance, warning that unpredictable shifts in the ash cloud could lead to future delays or rerouting.
Travelers Advised to Expect Continued Disruptions
Tour operators and travel agencies are advising passengers to brace for potential disruptions for at least the next 48-72 hours. Even flights that are scheduled to depart may face last-minute changes, rerouting, or cancellations.
Passengers are strongly encouraged to recheck their flight status directly with their airline before heading to the airport. In response to the chaos, many affected airlines have extended full refunds or free rebooking options for passengers on canceled flights.
Travel insurance companies have also emphasized that such natural disasters are typically covered under comprehensive policies. They advise travelers to save all documentation, including boarding passes, cancellation notices, and receipts, to facilitate any potential insurance claims.
A Global Ripple Effect from a Rare Event
The eruption of Hayli Gubbi serves as a stark reminder of our interconnected world. A geological event in a remote part of East Africa can swiftly disrupt global air travel, affecting economies and daily routines thousands of kilometers away.
While the immediate lava and pyroclastic hazards are confined to Ethiopia’s Afar region, the drifting ash cloud has demonstrated how vulnerable international aviation can be to nature’s unpredictability. The aviation sector is hopeful for a swift return to normal operations, but for now, travelers are urged to stay informed and flexible.
