Ethiopia Volcano Erupts After 10,000 Years; Ash Cloud Reaches Toward India, Aviation Alert Issued

A massive aviation alert was issued on Monday after the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in nearly 10,000 years. The unexpected event forced an IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi (6E 1433) to divert to Ahmedabad due to the rising ash cloud. The aircraft landed safely, and IndiGo announced return arrangements for passengers.

Airlines on High Alert

The disruption was triggered by a thick plume of volcanic ash spewing from the Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted on Sunday after millennia of dormancy. Satellite models indicate that the ash cloud is drifting towards northern India, raising concerns for flight paths passing over Delhi, Jaipur, and nearby regions.

Indian aviation authorities and airlines have begun monitoring possible impacts on air traffic. Several flights have already altered their routes to avoid ash concentrations.

Airlines Issue Safety Advisories

Akasa Air released an advisory stating it is closely tracking volcanic activity as per international aviation protocols. The airline emphasized that passenger safety remains its highest priority.

A Massive Column of Ash in the Sky

The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale range, ejected towering columns of ash and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere early Sunday. According to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, ash plumes climbed 10 to 15 kilometers high before drifting eastward across the Red Sea.

The ash cloud has already impacted parts of Oman and Yemen, prompting environmental and aviation advisories. Oman’s Environment Authority warned of potential effects from volcanic gases and ash. However, none of the country’s 68 environmental monitoring stations have reported increased pollution levels so far. Authorities said residents can track real-time air quality via the national “Naki” monitoring platform.

Aviation Officials on Standby

Despite the volcano’s remote location, the intensity of the eruption has alarmed global aviation authorities. The ash cloud has reached altitudes commonly used by commercial aircraft and continues to spread further east. Its movement across the Arabian Peninsula toward South Asia has triggered heightened alert across the aviation sector.