Indian airlines Air India and Akasa Air said on Tuesday (November 25) they were canceling some flights after the eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia on Sunday sent ash 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) into the air, disrupting operations, Reuters reported.
Air India, one of the country’s top airlines, said it had cancelled some flights on Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure to check aircraft flying over areas affected by the eruption. The airline also said it had cancelled 11 flights, following a directive from India’s aviation regulator.
Meanwhile, Akasa Airlines said it has canceled scheduled flights to Middle Eastern destinations such as Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi for 2 days.
Akasa Air said on the social media platform, X: “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 Air, passenger safety and well-being is our utmost priority.”
According to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, only a few flights have been rerouted as a precautionary measure, and airport authorities have issued a notice to all affected aircraft.
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The ash cloud from the volcanic eruption is moving towards China and is expected to clear skies over India by 1400 GMT on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement.
Scientific American reported that the Hayli Gubbi volcano spewed ash nearly nine miles into the sky on Sunday. The eruption was the first major known event from the volcano in more than 12,000 years.
This article includes reporting from Reuters.