IndiGo flight diverted as rare Ethiopia volcano eruption sends ash cloud toward India
PTC Web Desk: A major aviation alert was issued on Monday after IndiGo flight 6E 1433, travelling from Kannur to Abu Dhabi, was diverted to Ahmedabad due to a massive volcanic eruption in Ethiopia. Scientists say this eruption is one of the most significant events recorded in the region.
The Airbus aircraft landed safely, and IndiGo confirmed that a return flight to Kannur will be arranged for affected passengers.
The disruption began after ash clouds from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano started drifting toward northern India. The volcano erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 10,000 years.
Aviation authorities in India are closely monitoring the situation, especially for flights over Delhi and Jaipur. Some airlines have already changed flight paths to avoid the ash cloud.
Akasa Air also issued an advisory stating that it is following international aviation safety guidelines and prioritising passenger safety.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano lies in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range. On Sunday morning, it released huge plumes of ash and sulphur dioxide into the sky. Satellite observations by the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre suggest that the ash cloud rose 10–15 km high and has been moving eastward across the Red Sea. The ash cloud has already impacted Oman and Yemen, where authorities have issued safety alerts.
According to a report by Khaleej Times, Oman’s Environment Authority warned residents about possible effects from volcanic gases and ash. However, no increase in pollution levels has been detected yet by its 68 monitoring stations. People can continue checking air quality through Oman’s “Naqi” online platform.
Due to its large scale, the eruption forced officials to release multiple aviation warnings as the ash cloud rose to heights used by commercial flights, stretching further across Yemen and Oman and advancing toward India.
- With inputs from agencies
