Newark Joins Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Mumbai, And More Airport As Air India, Indigo, And Akasa Air Cancel Dozens Of Flights Amid Hayli Gubbi Eruption In Ethiopia: New Updates You Need To Know

Published on November 25, 2025

Newark joins Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Mumbai, and more as Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air cancelled dozens of flights amid the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which unleashed a massive ash plume into the atmosphere. The volcanic eruption, one of the most significant in recent history, sent fine ash particles drifting across multiple air routes, triggering precautionary cancellations, diversions, and safety inspections by airlines. These disruptions, which have impacted major international and domestic flights, highlight the ongoing challenges that volcanic activity can pose to air travel, forcing airlines to take swift action to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft.

In a dramatic turn of events, air travel across several regions has been severely disrupted due to the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range. The eruption, which took place early on Sunday morning, sent an ash plume soaring high into the atmosphere, affecting numerous air routes. This led to cancellations, diversions, and significant disruptions across major international carriers, including Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo, with a ripple effect felt across multiple countries, including India, the Middle East, and beyond. The consequences of this rare geological event are being felt deeply in the aviation industry, prompting airlines to take precautionary measures and to reroute flights or suspend services temporarily for safety reasons.

The Hayli Gubbi Eruption: A Rare Geological Event

The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on the morning of Sunday, November 23, 2025, after nearly 12,000 years of dormancy. The eruption released a substantial volume of volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide, and fine particles that were carried northeastward by high-altitude winds. The ash plume reached altitudes between 15,000 to 25,000 feet, with pockets rising as high as 45,000 feet.

This massive eruption has been described as a significant and rare geological event, as the Hayli Gubbi volcano had not erupted in over a millennium. Meteorological and volcanic activity trackers noted the plume traveling at high altitudes, crossing borders, and reaching Indian airspace by late Monday night. By around 10 p.m., the plume had entered India’s skies, affecting air traffic over key regions like Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and Punjab.

As the ash cloud moved northeastward, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) promptly advised airlines to avoid the ash zones. The safety concerns prompted flight suspensions, diversions, and precautionary inspections by several airlines.

Airlines Respond to Volcanic Ash Threat

Airlines around the world, especially those with routes traversing the Middle East and South Asia, were forced to adapt rapidly. The volcanic ash posed a serious risk to aircraft engines and could cause significant damage to external surfaces. Volcanic ash, composed of tiny particles of rock and glass, can disrupt the smooth functioning of jet engines, cause engine failure, and even impact the structural integrity of the aircraft.

Air India’s Cancellations and Ongoing Safety Checks

Air India, India’s national carrier, was one of the hardest-hit airlines. The airline announced the cancellation of numerous flights due to the volcanic ash plume drifting into Indian airspace. As of Tuesday, Air India had grounded 11 flights, including several high-profile international and domestic routes.

The airline initially canceled seven international services on Monday, including the following flights:

• AI 106: Newark (New Jersey) – Delhi
• AI 102: New York JFK – Delhi
• AI 2204: Dubai – Hyderabad
• AI 2290: Doha – Mumbai

The next day, Air India continued its precautionary measures by canceling four domestic flights:

• AI 2822: Chennai – Mumbai
• AI 2466: Hyderabad – Delhi
• AI 2444/2445: Mumbai – Hyderabad – Mumbai
• AI 2471/2472: Mumbai – Kolkata – Mumbai

In a statement, Air India explained that these cancellations were necessary to conduct safety checks on aircraft that had flown through the regions affected by the ash plume. The airline reassured passengers that its ground teams were actively providing updates, support, and alternative arrangements, including hotel accommodation for those affected.

These precautionary measures were essential, as volcanic ash can pose significant safety hazards. According to Air India, the checks on aircraft involved in these routes were focused on ensuring that no ash-related damage occurred to the aircraft’s engines and external surfaces.

Akasa Air and IndiGo Respond to Disruptions

Akasa Air and IndiGo, two other major Indian carriers, also found themselves in the path of disruption. Akasa Air, which primarily operates domestic and regional international flights, canceled several services to West Asia scheduled for November 24 and 25. The affected routes included flights to:

• Jeddah
• Kuwait
• Abu Dhabi

IndiGo, India’s largest budget airline, reported canceling six flights on Monday and diverted several others as the ash cloud moved closer to key flight paths. The airline also indicated that it was closely monitoring the situation and would adjust its operations as necessary to ensure passenger safety.

International airlines were similarly impacted. KLM, the flagship carrier of the Netherlands, also adjusted its operations due to the volcanic ash, with routes in and around the Middle East and Asia facing similar disruptions.

The Impact on Air Travel in the Middle East

The eruption’s effects weren’t limited to India. As the ash cloud moved westward, it reached the Arabian Peninsula, prompting air traffic disruptions across the region. Meteorological agencies in the Middle East issued warnings for airlines operating over the Gulf region, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. The Dubai Air Traffic Control Center, as well as other aviation authorities, advised operators to adjust flight paths, altitudes, and fuel planning to avoid the ash plume.

Many international airlines operating between India, the Middle East, and Europe reported diversions and cancellations due to the safety measures being implemented.

Volcanic Ash Fallout: Affected Regions

The vast expanse of the volcanic ash cloud, which had initially spread across India, continued its journey into neighboring countries. The forecast showed the cloud drifting across Gujarat, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, and parts of Haryana and Punjab. In the coming days, weather models indicated that the ash cloud would extend further northeastward, moving towards China, where it was expected to clear Indian skies by around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

However, before it departed, the ash cloud left behind significant impacts on the aviation sector. Runways, taxiways, and aprons at airports in affected regions, especially in Gujarat and Delhi, were subject to immediate safety inspections. These inspections were crucial to ensure that volcanic ash did not compromise the structural integrity of airport surfaces.

As the ash cloud settled over these regions, the DGCA issued a comprehensive advisory to airlines. The guidelines recommended that airlines adjust their routes, avoid volcanic ash zones, and implement additional precautionary measures. The DGCA also directed carriers to report any in-flight encounters with ash, including unusual engine behavior or smoke-like odors in the cabin.

Meteorological Alerts and Aviation Guidelines

On the meteorological front, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided updates on the status of the ash cloud, which was expected to clear Indian airspace by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the DGCA remained in close communication with international aviation bodies to monitor the situation and coordinate appropriate responses. The DGCA emphasized that safety remained the priority, and all measures were being taken to minimize any risks to air travelers.

The DGCA’s recommendations also included specific instructions for ground services. If ash was found to have affected any airport operations, the agency mandated immediate runway inspections before permitting any flights to land or take off. Given the significant disruption caused by volcanic ash, airlines were also encouraged to reschedule or reroute flights proactively to avoid congestion at impacted airports.

The Bigger Picture: How Airlines Manage Volcanic Ash Threats

Volcanic eruptions like Hayli Gubbi, while rare, have significant implications for global aviation. The ash cloud poses serious risks to the integrity of aircraft engines, requiring airlines to ground flights and implement extensive checks. Ash clouds can also disrupt air traffic across vast areas, affecting thousands of passengers and causing delays and cancellations that ripple through international and domestic flight networks.

In response to the eruption, many airlines, especially those with international routes, are increasingly investing in technology to detect and assess volcanic ash in real time. Advanced weather radar systems and satellite monitoring allow airlines to track the movement of ash clouds and make real-time decisions about rerouting or suspending flights.

The Hayli Gubbi eruption serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and their potential to disrupt global travel. Airlines and aviation authorities in India and the Middle East, including Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo, have acted swiftly and responsibly to ensure the safety of passengers. The disruptions, while significant, underscore the importance of maintaining safety standards and implementing contingency measures during volcanic events.

Newark joins Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Mumbai, and more as Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air cancelled dozens of flights due to the massive ash plume from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano eruption. The volcanic activity prompted safety concerns, leading to route changes, cancellations, and precautionary checks on affected flights.

As the aviation industry recovers from this disruption, travelers are advised to stay updated on the status of their flights, be aware of potential delays, and check with airlines for any changes to their itineraries. With precautionary checks, route adjustments, and safety measures, the airline industry continues to prioritize the safety of passengers, ensuring that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transport even in the face of unforeseen natural challenges.