Ash Cloud Spreads Into Routes Connecting Middle East and India
Air India and Akasa Air cancelled another set of international flights after the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted, sending a plume of ash drifting into some of the busiest air corridors between the Gulf and India. Aviation authorities issued updated alerts urging carriers to keep monitoring ash levels aloft, stressing that volcanic particles can compromise aircraft performance and safety.
Carriers Pull Aircraft for Evaluation and Alter Flight Schedules
Air India announced that several jets were taken out of service for thorough inspections to ensure they had not come into contact with ash during recent operations. Akasa Air suspended a number of Middle Eastern routes as shifting winds carried ash toward high-altitude tracks used by commercial flights. Both airlines urged travelers to stay attentive to revised schedules, warning that further service changes could follow if the plume continues to move.
Meteorologists Track the Plume’s Progress Toward South Asian Airspace
Forecasting agencies and international volcanic ash centers traced the ash cloud as it rose through upper atmospheric layers and advanced from the Horn of Africa toward the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula. Models suggested that parts of South Asian airspace could experience periodic effects depending on wind shifts and plume density. Regulators said operational guidance for airlines would remain fluid as new data arrives, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the overriding priority.
