Delhi Stares At Severe Pollution As Ethiopia’s Volcano Ash Drifts Towards India, Flight Disruption Likely

An ash plume originating from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano presents a significant and immediate threat of major air travel disruption across India, particularly impacting northern cities such as Delhi and Jaipur. The long-dormant volcano erupted on Sunday, November 23, 2025, sending a substantial ash cloud eastward. Forecasts indicate this plume will reach mainland India by Monday evening, initially affecting western regions like Jamnagar before moving towards major hubs. Indian aviation authorities have escalated to high alert, with commercial airlines already implementing precautionary measures, including rerouting flights to circumvent the projected affected airspace corridors.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano, situated in Ethiopia's Afar region, had no recorded history of prior eruptions, making this event an unprecedented challenge for regional air traffic management. While initial reports from local administrators, such as Mohammed Seid, confirm no human casualties, the eruption has covered the nearby village of Afdera in dust, raising concerns for local livelihoods. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in France independently confirmed the eruption via satellite imagery, tracking the ash's extensive drift across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman, underscoring the broad geographical reach of this atmospheric hazard.

For the commercial aviation sector, volcanic ash represents a critical operational and safety concern. Ash particles can cause severe damage to aircraft engines, impair visibility, and compromise critical flight systems, necessitating extensive flight diversions or groundings. This developing situation compounds existing air quality challenges in northern Indian cities, adding a complex layer of operational uncertainty for airlines. The industry now faces the intricate task of safeguarding passenger and crew safety while striving to minimize the widespread disruption to flight schedules and passenger services across a vital global aviation market.