Volcanic Ash Impacts Indian Aviation: Complete List of Air India, Akasa & IndiGo Cancelled Flights

A powerful eruption from Ethiopia's Hauli Gubbi volcano, dormant for over 10,000 years, has unleashed a massive ash cloud, soaring to 45,000 feet and significantly disrupting commercial aviation across India and the Gulf region. The ash plume, moving northeast at speeds up to 120 kmph, entered Indian airspace late Tuesday night, directly impacting key flight corridors over Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana. This unprecedented event has forced major Indian carriers to implement widespread flight cancellations and diversions, prioritizing passenger and crew safety.

In response to the aerial threat, Air India announced the cancellation of several international and domestic flights, including critical routes connecting Newark, New York, Dubai, Doha, and Dammam with Indian cities. The airline's ground teams are actively assisting affected passengers with hotel accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. Similarly, Akasa Air suspended all international operations to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi for two days, offering passengers full refunds or complimentary rebooking. IndiGo also adjusted its flight paths, notably diverting its Kannur-Abu Dhabi service to Ahmedabad as a precautionary measure.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) swiftly issued an advisory, urging airlines to avoid specific routes and altitudes affected by the volcanic ash. Airports across the region received instructions to conduct thorough runway inspections for potential ash contamination and to maintain operational readiness for any shifts in the ash cloud's trajectory. Despite the high-altitude disruption, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the ash cloud, positioned over 10 km above ground, poses minimal risk to urban air quality in Indian cities.

The aviation industry has demonstrated a rapid and coordinated response to the natural phenomenon, with airlines like KLM, Akasa Air, Air India, and IndiGo taking proactive steps to mitigate risks. Operational teams continue to monitor global aviation advisories closely, ensuring all necessary precautionary measures remain in place. Authorities are maintaining vigilance over the plume's movement, collaborating with airlines and airports to minimize passenger inconvenience while upholding the highest safety standards.