Post by : Rameen Ariff

On Tuesday, leading Indian carriers, Air India and Akasa Air, revealed that numerous flights were canceled due to ash disruptions following a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia. The eruption from the Hayli Gubbi volcano on Sunday sent ash clouds soaring up to 14 kilometers, affecting air travel in various areas.

Air India announced the cancellation of 11 flights on Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure. These actions were in line with instructions from India's aviation authority, which mandated safety assessments for aircraft that operated in regions impacted by the volcanic ash. The airline stressed that passenger safety is its utmost priority during these exceptional circumstances.

Akasa Air, a smaller player in the Indian aviation sector, also scrapped flights to Middle Eastern destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi. These cancellations were scheduled over the two days to mitigate risks associated with the ash cloud.

The ash plume emanated from Ethiopia and spread across parts of Yemen and Oman, reaching Pakistan and northern India by Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the ash cloud is anticipated to clear from Indian airspace by 1400 GMT on Tuesday.

Notably, this eruption marks the first recorded incident from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano. The high ash clouds have not only disrupted airline operations but have also raised significant concerns regarding aviation safety across several nations.

Both airlines are closely tracking the developments and collaborating with civil aviation authorities to ensure the safety of passengers. Normal flight operations are expected to resume once the ash cloud fully clears.

Passengers using these airlines are encouraged to stay informed on the latest updates and prepare for possible delays or changes in flight schedules until conditions improve.

#Global News