Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts After 12,000 Years, Disrupting Air Travel to India

Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on Sunday, November 23, 2025, for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending a massive ash plume soaring up to 14 kilometers (45,000 feet) into the atmosphere. This significant geological event, originating in the Afar region, has caused widespread concern and immediate disruptions to international air travel, particularly impacting routes towards India.

The long-dormant shield volcano, located approximately 800 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrean border, began its explosive activity for several hours on Sunday morning. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) confirmed the eruption and tracked the ash cloud as it drifted eastward across the Red Sea, reaching Yemen, Oman, and eventually India.

In response to the advancing ash cloud, Indian aviation authorities swiftly issued advisories to airlines, emphasizing the critical need to avoid affected altitudes and regions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) urged carriers to adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations to ensure passenger and crew safety from the abrasive volcanic particles.

Major Indian carriers, including Air India and Akasa Air, have consequently cancelled numerous flights, both international and domestic, as a precautionary measure. Air India reported cancelling at least 11 flights across Monday and Tuesday, initiating thorough inspections of aircraft that may have flown near the affected airspace, according to Arab News.

The ash plume reached several Indian states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, and Haryana, by Monday night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that while the ash cloud was present at high altitudes, it was expected to clear Indian skies by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, moving towards China.

While no casualties have been reported in Ethiopia's Afar region, local administrator Mohammed Seid expressed concerns about the economic implications for livestock herders whose villages have been covered in ash. Residents described the eruption as feeling like a "sudden bomb," highlighting the unexpected and powerful nature of the event, as reported by The Associated Press.

• Historical Significance and Geological Context: The Hayli Gubbi volcano's eruption marks its first known activity in approximately 12,000 years, coinciding with the Holocene epoch, as confirmed by the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program. This shield volcano is situated in Ethiopia's Afar region, a geologically active area within the East African Rift Valley where two tectonic plates converge, making it prone to volcanic activity and earthquakes.

• Dangers of Volcanic Ash to Aviation: Volcanic ash poses a severe threat to aircraft due to its abrasive, glass-like particles. According to skybrary Aviation Safety, these particles can cause significant wear to engine components, scratch cockpit windows, contaminate fuel systems, and lead to engine flame-out or total failure if they melt in the combustion chambers and form a ceramic mass. Unlike weather clouds, volcanic ash is not detectable by standard aircraft radar.

• Aviation Industry Response and Protocols: Following the eruption, India's DGCA issued a comprehensive advisory, urging airlines to strictly adhere to operational manuals for volcanic ash encounters. The advisory mandated continuous monitoring of Volcanic Ash Advisories (VAAs) and NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), along with immediate reporting of any suspected ash encounters, including engine anomalies or cabin smoke. This proactive stance aims to mitigate risks, drawing lessons from past global disruptions like the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.

• Impact on Indian Airspace and Air Quality: The ash cloud, traveling at speeds between 100 and 130 kilometers per hour, entered India through Rajasthan and spread across multiple northern and western states. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicated that the ash was at high altitudes (above 10 km), minimizing its impact on ground-level air quality in cities like Delhi, it did prompt concerns about potential visibility issues and flight safety.

• Airline Cancellations and Passenger Advisories: Air India cancelled seven international flights on November 24 and four domestic flights on November 25, including routes connecting major Indian cities with Newark, New York, Dubai, and Doha. Akasa Air also confirmed cancellations for flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on both days, as reported by The Economic Times. Passengers were advised by Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to check flight statuses due to potential rerouting and delays.

• Local Ethiopian Concerns and Environmental Impact: Although no human or livestock casualties were reported immediately after the eruption, the ashfall has covered villages in the Afar region, raising fears for the livelihoods of local communities dependent on livestock. Discover Magazine noted that the eruption also released a significant plume of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which can have broader environmental implications, though the immediate focus remains on aviation safety and local community support.