10,000-Year-Old Volcano Burst in Ethiopia Grounds Flights, IndiGo Abu Dhabi–Bound Plane Diverted, DGCA Issues Advisory

Ahmedabad:

An IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was cancelled after being diverted to Ahmedabad due to ash cloud conditions triggered by a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia.IndiGo flight 6E 1433, operating on the Kannur–Abu Dhabi route, departed as scheduled but was forced to divert mid-air when volcanic ash was detected along its path. Following standard safety protocol, the aircraft landed safely in Ahmedabad.Airline sources said that with ash cloud conditions persisting, the decision was taken to cancel the flight. All passengers were provided with refreshments, and IndiGo is arranging an alternate flight to return them to Kannur, the original point of departure.

DGCA Advisory on Ethiopia Volcano Burst

In the wake of the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a detailed advisory to airlines and airports:

• Airlines have been warned of hazardous volcanic ash drifting into regional air routes and instructed to avoid affected altitudes and regions immediately.
• Airports have been directed to inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons if ashfall is suspected, with operations restricted or suspended until surfaces are cleared.
• A Volcanic Ash Advisory and ASHTAM have been issued, with dispatchers told to monitor satellite imagery and meteorological data round-the-clock
• Airlines must review volcanic-ash SOPs and ensure all flight and cabin crew are briefed as per Operations Manual protocols.
• Mandatory rerouting and fuel adjustments are required to avoid ash clouds, while pilots have been instructed to report any suspected ash encounters, including engine anomalies or cabin smoke.
• Dispatch teams are on high alert, tracking advisories, NOTAMs/ASHTAMs, and evolving ash movement forecasts.
• All airlines have been asked to conduct post-flight engine and airframe inspections for aircraft operating near possible ash corridors.
• Safety-risk protocols have been activated, requiring operators to monitor engine fluctuations, cabin odour events, and weather changes affecting ash dispersion.

The DGCA has urged strict compliance with these measures until further notice, with constant updates expected as ash-cloud dispersion models evolve.