New Delhi, Nov 25 : Akasa Air cancelled its international flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi on November 24 and 25 after a massive volcanic ash plume from recent activity in Ethiopia drifted across major flight corridors connecting India and the Gulf. The airline said the ash created unsafe flying conditions across affected routes.
A spokesperson said the decision followed the spread of the ash cloud in the surrounding airspace. Passengers were offered a full refund or complimentary rebooking within seven days. The airline added that its teams were tracking global aviation advisories as the situation continued to evolve, stressing that passenger safety remained the top priority.
The disruption grew after ash from Ethiopia’s Hauli Gubbi volcano began affecting high-altitude air routes, prompting Akasa Air and IndiGo to suspend services while other carriers stayed on alert. IndiGo said it was coordinating with international aviation bodies to reduce inconvenience. As a precaution, its Kannur–Abu Dhabi flight was diverted to Ahmedabad when the ash moved closer to Indian airspace.
The Hauli Gubbi volcano erupted on Sunday for the first time in more than 10,000 years, sending ash nearly 45,000 feet into the sky. Travelling northeast at speeds of 100–120 kmph, the plume reached Indian routes within hours. By Sunday night, a windborne cloud had crossed parts of northwest India, reducing visibility and affecting air traffic across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR and Punjab.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an advisory asking airlines and airports to prepare for operational challenges and monitor real-time volcanic and weather updates. Akasa Air, IndiGo and KLM cancelled several flights as authorities evaluated the shifting conditions.
The India Meteorological Department said the ash cloud, positioned more than 10 km above ground, was unlikely to worsen Delhi’s air quality, noting any impact over Indian cities would be brief as the plume continued to move eastward.
