DGCA Issues Advisory To Airlines Following Ethiopia Volcanic Eruption

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a directive on Monday, requiring all Indian airlines to revise their flight planning and adjust fuel intake to avoid flight altitudes and areas affected by the ash cloud produced by the eruption of Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia. In response to the volcanic activity, Indian carriers IndiGo and Akasa Air, as well as Dutch airline KLM, canceled several flights on Monday as a precautionary measure to prevent potential disruptions caused by the volcanic ash plume. The volcano had been dormant for over 10,000 years before erupting on Sunday, releasing a thick ash plume reaching up to 45,000 feet. The ash cloud was moving northeast at speeds of 100-120 kilometers per hour and had already entered Indian airspace by Monday, with the possibility of reaching western India. IndiGo canceled flights to the Middle East, and KLM nixed its Amsterdam to Delhi flight due to the ongoing ash plume issue from the volcano. DGCA emphasized that operators must promptly inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons if volcanic ash affects airport operations. Operations may be restricted depending on contamination levels, and thorough cleaning procedures must be carried out before resuming activities. Airlines were also instructed to monitor the situation continuously using satellite imagery and meteorological data to stay updated on the volcanic ash cloud movement. Akasa Air announced flight cancellations to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi citing safety concerns related to the ash cloud. The airline assured that teams were prepared to follow international aviation advisories and safety protocols. IndiGo reassured passengers, stating that safety remained their top priority amid reports of ash clouds drifting towards western India post the recent eruption of Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia. The airline stated that they were closely monitoring the situation in cooperation with international aviation bodies and had implemented necessary precautions to ensure safe and reliable operations.