Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano erupts, ash clouds disrupt flights in South Asia

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano has erupted for the first time in thousands of years, releasing thick ash and smoke into the air and affecting air travel across South Asia, reaching as far as India. 

The volcano, situated in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, erupted on November 23, 2025, for several hours, launching a huge ash column 10–15 kilometers into the sky and quickly darkening the horizon. 

Video footage circulating on X shows the eruption at its peak. The event was so significant that it was even visible from space. The volcano has not seen any activity of this magnitude in almost 12,000 years. 

According to data from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC), the ash cloud from the volcano moved eastward over the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia, first reaching Yemen, Oman, northern Pakistan, and India. 

On the evening of November 24, 2025, the ash cloud arrived in India’s Delhi-NCR and the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that the ash cloud would leave the country by 19:30 local time on October 25, 2025, and continue moving towards other regions. 

Volcanic ash forces precautionary groundings 

The massive ash cloud has impacted air travel in India, causing flight disruptions and raising concerns for nearby countries along its path. 

On November 24, 2025, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released a notice advising airlines to avoid airspace affected by the volcanic ash. The DGCA also directed airports to check runways for ash contamination and pause operations if needed. 

Due to these warnings, many international and domestic airlines have cancelled, delayed, or rerouted their flights in India. 

In a statement, Air India announced it has cancelled 11 flights on November 24–25, 2025, due to precautionary checks on aircraft that flew over areas impacted by the eruption. The airline mentioned it is helping passengers with updated flight information, alternative travel options, and accommodations. 

IndiGo has not cancelled any flights but said it is “closely tracking the situation in coordination with international aviation bodies.” 

“We are fully prepared with all necessary precautions to ensure safe and reliable operations,” IndiGo said. “We will continue to monitor the developments round the clock and keep you informed of any updates.” 

SpiceJet said in a statement that the volcanic ash “may impact flight operations for aircraft flying through parts of the Arabian Peninsula” and advised passengers traveling to/from Dubai (DXB) to check their flight status.  

Akasa Air said it is taking similar precautionary measures in line with international aviation advisories, safety protocols and taking “necessary actions as required”. 

At the time of writing on November 25, 2025, the ash cloud was heading towards Nepal, Bhutan and central China. However, Chinese airlines such as China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines have not yet issued any travel warnings.