Ethiopia volcano eruption: DGCA asks airlines to strictly avoid volcanic ash-affected areas, altitudes
Volcanic ash can damage aircraft engines, and even cause them to fail. It has extremely abrasive particles that can also damage other parts of the aircraft's fuselage and cause sensor failures as well.
It also directed airlines to adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations accordingly, and immediately report any suspected ash encounter. IN VIEW of the volcanic ash clouds from a volcano eruption in Ethiopia drifting over various countries, aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday issued an urgent operational advisory to all Indian airlines asking them to strictly avoid volcanic ash-affected areas and flight altitudes. It also directed airlines to adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations accordingly, and immediately report any suspected ash encounter, “including engine performance anomalies or cabin smoke/odour”.
According to latest reports, ash clouds from the Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted on Sunday after over 10,000 years, have since been moving and drifting over various countries including Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, and parts of India. The ash clouds are reported to have entered India Monday evening from Rajasthan, and are expected to drift over parts of northern, eastern, and northeastern India. The eruption had set thick plumes of smoke and volcanic ash up to 14 km into the sky.
Ash billows from the first time eruption of the Hayli Gubbi Volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (Afar Government Communication Bureau via AP)
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