UAE-India travel: Ethiopia volcanic ash disrupts routes as several flights cancelled
Travel alerts issued as authorities monitor evolving airspace
DUBAI – Flight schedules between India and the United Arab Emirates have been disrupted after the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years.
The rare volcanic event sent ash plumes up to 45,000 feet, drifting across the Arabian Peninsula and toward South Asia. While UAE-based airlines confirmed no operational impact, several Indian carriers cancelled or rerouted flights to avoid ash-contaminated airspace.
First Time in 12,000 Years:
— khaled mahmoued (@khaledmahmoued1) November 24, 2025
Sudden Volcanic Eruption in Ethiopia
International volcano monitoring centers have confirmed that activity at Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region has completely stopped since Sunday evening, with no new explosions or additional ash… pic.twitter.com/Ur9uaEIyoZ
Aviation authorities have issued advisories, urging travellers to monitor updates, as affected routes stretch across the Middle East, Pakistan and western India.
Flight impact
Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air, cancelled or diverted multiple flights covering UAE destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
#ImportantAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) November 25, 2025
The following Air India flights have been cancelled as we carry out precautionary checks on those aircraft which had flown over certain geographical locations after the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption.
Our ground teams across the network are keeping passengers…
Air India cancelled nearly a dozen flights on November 24 and 25, including AI 2204 from Dubai to Hyderabad, AI 2212 from Dubai to Chennai, and AI 2290 and AI 2284 from Doha.
Following the recent eruption of the #HayliGubbi volcano in #Ethiopia, ash clouds are reported to be drifting towards parts of western India. We understand that such news may cause concern, and we want to reassure you that your safety remains our highest priority.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 24, 2025
Our teams are…
Flights from New York to Delhi and Newark to Delhi were also suspended due to precautionary checks on aircraft that had flown through high-risk airspace. IndiGo diverted its Kannur-Abu Dhabi flight to Ahmedabad, while its Cochin–Dubai flight was grounded.
Akasa Air announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi on November 24–25. A spokesperson confirmed passengers were offered full refunds or complimentary rebooking within seven days.
#TravelUpdate We are closely monitoring the volcanic activity in Ethiopia and its potential impact on flight operations in nearby regions. Our teams will continue to assess the situation in compliance with international aviation advisories and safety protocols and take necessary…
— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) November 24, 2025
Mumbai Airport issued a passenger advisory, warning that international routes could be impacted due to volcanic ash affecting visibility and airspace safety.
#PassengerAdvisory pic.twitter.com/2jDnhnWaS0
— Mumbai Airport (@CSMIA_Official) November 24, 2025
UAE operations stable
Despite regional flight disruptions, UAE carriers Emirates, Etihad Airways and flydubai confirmed their services, including those to Addis Ababa and the wider African region, operated as scheduled.
The Dubai Airports website reflected on-time arrivals and departures to the Ethiopian capital.
The airlines said they are monitoring developments closely and advised passengers to keep contact details updated for potential flight changes, emphasising that passenger and crew safety remains their top priority.
Airspace monitoring
Authorities in Saudi Arabia and Oman issued statements confirming that volcanic ash was detected at 35,000 feet over portions of the Empty Quarter and Arabian Sea but reported no impact on air quality or health. Oman activated its Environmental Emergency Centre to coordinate with aviation and health agencies. Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology confirmed no ash had entered the Kingdom's atmosphere and said monitoring would continue.
India’s meteorological department said the ash cloud had stabilised at altitudes above 10 kilometres, reducing the likelihood of impact on ground-level pollution in cities like Delhi. The cloud was drifting eastward, reaching parts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and India’s Himalayan region late on Tuesday.
Safety advisory
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation instructed all airlines to report any suspected ash encounters, including engine anomalies or signs of cabin smoke. Airport operators were advised to conduct inspections of aprons, runways and taxiways in areas reporting ash deposits.
FlightRadar24 confirmed that most flights in the UAE and Gulf region were operating above volcanic ash levels. It said the ash plume appeared to have stabilised below normal cruising altitude, reducing immediate risk for long-haul carriers.