Ethiopia volcano ash plumes: Several flights cancelled; DGCA issues advisory to airlines, airports

Aviation regulator DGCA on Monday issued an advisory to airlines and airports to deal with possible disruptions due to the ash plume from the volcanic activity in Ethiopia.

Ash clouds from the recent eruption of the HayliGubbi volcano in Ethiopia are impacting flight operations, and there are reports suggesting that clouds might also be drifting towards the western parts of India.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) 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.

DGCA noted that if volcanic ash affects airport operations, then the operator concerned must immediately inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons. It 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”.

Meanwhile, Akasa Air, IndiGo and KLM are among the airlines that cancelled some flights due to the ash plume issue on Monday.

Among others, operators have been asked to continuously monitor the situation related to the volcanic ash cloud and stay updated through satellite imagery and meteorological data, among others.

"Following recent volcanic activity in Ethiopia and the resulting ash plume in the surrounding airspace, our flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for 24th and 25th November 2025 have been cancelled," Akasa Air said in a statement.

Sources said IndiGo cancelled some flights to the Middle East and Dutch carrier KLM cancelled its flight from Amsterdam to Delhi due to the volcanic ash plume issue.

"Our teams are closely tracking the situation in coordination with international aviation bodies. We are fully prepared with all necessary precautions to ensure safe and reliable operations," IndiGo said in a post on X. —with PTI