Volcanic ash over Oman: DGCA issues urgent safety advisory to all Indian airlines

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday issued an urgent operational advisory to all Indian airlines after volcanic ash activity over the Muscat Flight Information Region (FIR) triggered international advisories warning of hazardous flying conditions. The regulator confirmed that Toulouse and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had issued a Volcanic Ash Advisory and an ASHTAM, prompting immediate precautionary measures for flights operating in the region.

The DGCA said the advisory, circulated to all carriers earlier in the day, must be treated as an immediate safety directive. “This is to inform all Indian Aviation Operators of the recent volcanic ash activity affecting the Muscat FIR and surrounding regions… Attached herewith is a copy of the Volcanic Ash Advisory for your immediate reference and necessary action,” read the email, accessed by The Tribune, sent to all Indian Airlines.

According to the DGCA, airlines have been instructed to conduct a thorough review of the Operations Manual on volcanic ash and ensure that all staff concerned are fully briefed. The regulator underscored that adherence to prescribed procedures was non-negotiable, given the risks ash clouds pose to engines, avionics and visibility.

The advisory spells out a series of actions for pilots, dispatchers and cabin crew, including strict avoidance of published ash-affected airspace and flight levels, adjustments to routing and fuel planning, and immediate reporting if any aircraft encounters suspected ash. The DGCA said crews must watch for signs such as engine performance anomalies, smoke or odour inside the cabin, while dispatch personnel are required to monitor advisories, NOTAMs, ASHTAMs and meteorological updates round the clock.

Operators have also been told to modify dispatch procedures where needed, avoid affected altitudes or regions, and carry out post-flight inspections on engines and airframes for any aircraft that may have flown near the contaminated area. The DGCA said that airlines should be prepared to suspend or delay operations to airports where ash levels worsen.

The regulator further directed carriers to activate internal safety risk management processes, including monitoring for fluctuations in engine performance, assessing weather shifts affecting ash dispersion, and ensuring compliance with aircraft manufacturer recommendations and ICAO guidance on volcanic ash.

Airlines have been advised to coordinate with affected airports for immediate inspection of runways, taxiways and aprons if ash is detected. Depending on the extent of contamination, airport operations may be restricted or suspended until cleaning procedures are completed.

Stressing the need for continuous surveillance, the DGCA has mandated 24×7 monitoring of satellite imagery, advisory bulletins and meteorological data. Operators have also been told to stay updated with frequently issued ash movement forecasts.

The advisory concludes with a direction to disseminate the instructions to all operational departments and maintain strict compliance “until further notice”.