A massive plume of volcanic ash from the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano has traveled thousands of miles, forcing flight cancellations and delays in Delhi and raising concerns for aircraft safety.
The volcano, previously dormant for thousands of years, erupted on Sunday, sending an ash column high into the atmosphere. The plume swept across the Red Sea and the Arabian Peninsula before reaching northern India, affecting flight paths between 8.5km and 15km in altitude.
Key Impacts:
- Flight Disruptions: Major airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and KLM, have cancelled, delayed, or rerouted flights. Mumbai Airport has advised passengers to check their flight status.
- Safety Measures: India’s aviation regulator has issued an advisory, instructing pilots to avoid the ash cloud and report any encounters, as the abrasive particles can cause severe damage to aircraft engines.
While the ash is not expected to impact Delhi’s ground-level air quality, the level of contamination remains unclear due to the eruption’s sudden nature. Meteorologists estimate the plume will clear Delhi’s skies by Tuesday evening, but its long-distance travel highlights the potential for a single volcanic event to disrupt international air travel on a significant scale.
By James Kisoo
