Volcanic ash from Ethiopia forces Akasa Air to cancel Gulf flights

November 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM•2 min read•ugandanews.net

Ethiopian Volcano's Ash Cloud Forces Akasa Air to Ground Gulf Flights. What's the Unseen Danger?

Key Points

1Akasa Air cancelled all international flights to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on November 24-25 due to volcanic ash.
2Ethiopian Hauli Gubbi volcano erupted, sending ash 45,000 feet high, disrupting key India-Gulf flight corridors.
3India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory for airlines to monitor conditions as ash reached northwest India.
4IndiGo also diverted flights, and KLM cancelled services, highlighting widespread operational impact across multiple carriers.

Akasa Air initiated significant flight cancellations for its international services to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on November 24 and 25, following the widespread dispersion of a massive volcanic ash plume originating from recent activity in Ethiopia. This disruption created unsafe flying conditions across critical flight corridors linking India and the Gulf region, prompting the Indian carrier to prioritize passenger safety by grounding affected flights. Passengers impacted by these cancellations received options for full refunds or complimentary rebooking within a seven-day window.

The operational upheaval stemmed from the eruption of Ethiopia's Hauli Gubbi volcano, which had been dormant for over 10,000 years. The eruption propelled ash to an altitude of approximately 45,000 feet, with the plume subsequently traveling northeast at speeds between 100-120 kmph. This rapid atmospheric movement brought the ash cloud into proximity with key Indian air routes within hours, necessitating immediate action from airlines. Beyond Akasa Air, IndiGo also experienced disruptions, including the diversion of its Kannur-Abu Dhabi flight (6E1433) to Ahmedabad, while KLM also cancelled multiple services.

As the ash cloud extended its reach, it traversed parts of northwest India, impacting visibility and air traffic across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab. In response to the evolving atmospheric conditions, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a comprehensive advisory. This directive urged airlines and airport operators to enhance preparedness for potential operational challenges and to diligently monitor real-time weather and volcanic activity updates. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the ash cloud's position over 10 km above ground, noting that while it affected air traffic, it was unlikely to significantly worsen Delhi's air quality, anticipating a short-lived impact over Indian cities as the plume continued its eastward trajectory.