On November 23, 2025, the Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in thousands of years at around 8:30 am local time, sending an ash cloud 10-15 km high over the Red Sea and towards the Middle East. Indian airlines are bracing themselves as the cloud of ash may affect their operations and the safety of passengers and crew.
The Awakening of a Geological Giant
Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano is located in the country’s Afar Rift about 15 km southeast of Erta Ale. Satellite imagery has captured the eruption, including ash towers that rose around 45,000 feet, directly into typical long-haul cruising altitudes.
Lower-level ash has already begun to pass over Yemen and Oman; meanwhile, upper-level ash is due to reach the likes of Pakistan and Western India. Images already show the plumes crossing the Red Sea and moving into the Middle East. Experts are monitoring the event and the movements of the ash and sulfur dioxide that continue to move eastward.
The sudden awakening of this dormant volcano underscores how quickly these natural events can occur and the impact they can have on their environment and the aviation system. Despite the huge scale of the eruption, no casualties have been reported following the event, as the region is sparsely populated and barely accessible.
Whilst the surrounding areas have been spared, the spread of the eruption is the primary worry for carriers across the world. Agencies are reliant on satellite images to monitor the spread of clouds, and multiple carriers have prepared in case the upper ash becomes denser and poses a serious risk, whether it be engine abrasion, sensor degradation or disturbances with electrical systems.
Indian Carriers Brace for Looming Ash Clouds
Indian carriers are already having to re-direct flights to avoid the ominous clouds as they cross into Asia. IndiGo’s Kannur-Abu Dhabi 6E 1433 had to be diverted to Ahmedabad on Monday afternoon to avoid the plumes. Other flights are being monitored and checked in Abu Dhabi before they’re released for their return to India.
Akasa Air have said:
We are closely monitoring the volcanic activity in Ethiopia and its potential impact on flight operations in nearby regions. Our teams will continue to assess the situation in compliance with international aviation advisories and safety protocols and take necessary actions as required. At Akasa, passenger safety and well-being is our utmost priority.
We advise passengers to monitor updates from their carriers during this time. We will keep you up to date with any developments that follow the eruption.
