What happened — A volcano wakes after millennia

On Sunday 23 November 2025, the Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted in the remote Afar region of northeastern Ethiopia. It was remarkable — scientists believe the volcano had been dormant for nearly 12,000 years.

The eruption sent a massive ash plume soaring high — estimates suggest ash reached up to 45,000 feet (≈ 14 kilometers) into the atmosphere.

From there, high‑altitude winds propelled the ash cloud across the Red Sea, over the Arabian Peninsula, and toward northern India and the Gulf region.

This wasn’t just a local dust‑up: we’re talking volcanic ash traveling thousands of kilometers — and disrupting international air corridors.

Impact on air travel: India ↔ UAE (and beyond) takes a hit

Airlines cancel, reroute and ground flights

As the ash cloud drifted, several airlines scrambled to keep passengers safe.

• Akasa Air canceled all flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi on 24–25 November.

• Air India suspended multiple domestic and international flights — including routes to Dubai, Doha and Dammam — as a precaution.

• Other carriers such as IndiGo, KLM and various international airlines also rerouted or canceled flights: e.g., an IndiGo flight from Cochin to Dubai was grounded, and KLM canceled its Amsterdam–Delhi flight and the return leg.

The reason? Volcanic ash can wreak havoc on jet engines, navigation systems, and visibility. Airlines and aviation authorities don’t mess around when ash is involved. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India issued immediate advisories for airlines and airports to stay alert and inspect runways, taxiways and aircraft surfaces for ash contamination before resuming operations.

Which routes got hit — and which stayed apparently safe

The disruption was most acute for flights linking India and the Gulf (including UAE), especially routes crossing airspace impacted by the ash cloud.

However, not all carriers were affected equally. For instance, UAE‑based airlines such as Emirates, flydubai and Etihad Airways reported normal operations, including services to Ethiopia’s capital.

That said, aviation experts warn that such disruptions might persist for a couple more days, depending on how long residual ash lingers in flight paths.

Safety, response and advisory measures

• The DGCA ordered airlines and airports to run thorough safety checks — including inspecting runways and aircraft surfaces for ash if detected, and grounding flights if conditions were unsafe.

• Airlines emphasized passenger safety as the top priority. Affected customers were reportedly offered full refunds or complimentary rebookings in many cases (especially by Akasa Air).

• In parallel, regional authorities in the Middle East — e.g. in Oman — activated environmental emergency protocols to monitor air‑quality and ash dispersion over the Arabian Sea and adjacent areas.

Broader fallout: Local communities, environment, and future‑risk

While the media focus has been mostly on air travel chaos, the eruption’s immediate impact on nearby communities has been serious. According to reports from local authorities:

• Villages such as Afdera and Nemma‑Gubi in Afar were blanketed in ash. Livestock and crops — vital for the rural economy — were affected, and residents faced respiratory problems and shortages of potable water and animal fodder.

• Mobile medical and aid units have been deployed to help residents deal with health issues and clean‑up efforts.

• Experts believe that the eruption might settle down, but the region remains geologically active — so future eruptions can’t be ruled out.

Still, the most optimistic note from volcanologists and environmental scientists: despite its size and reach, this eruption is unlikely to have significant global climatic impact. The ash plume — though large — is expected to dissipate without major atmospheric effects beyond the immediate region.

What this means if you’re travelling (or planning to) — Practical guidance

• If you’re flying between India and the UAE (or Gulf) soon: Contact your airline directly. Check flight status early and often — cancellations and delays have been widespread.

• Allow for extra time: Even if your flight isn’t canceled, routes may be diverted, delayed or rerouted, so expect things to be slower than usual.

• Consider alternatives: If the situation remains volatile, overland travel or alternate departure/arrival airports might be safer (depending on your origin/destination).

• For residents in affected areas (especially near Afar): Follow local advisories. Avoid prolonged outdoor exposure if ash is still drifting. Keep masks handy, cover water sources, and follow instructions from local health teams.

What we still don’t know — and what to watch next

• The long‑term health and environmental impact on the local population and livestock remains uncertain. Ash contamination can affect soil fertility, groundwater, and air quality in ways that only become obvious over weeks or months.

• It’s unclear whether the eruption is completely over — minor eruptions or ash‑venting could follow, given the region’s tectonic volatility. Experts are monitoring seismic activity and satellite thermal anomalies to gauge future risk.

• Air travel disruptions may continue for the next few days until aviation authorities confirm air‑space is safe. Passengers should expect ongoing changes in flight schedules and remain flexible.

Final thoughts

This event is a stark reminder: even after thousands of years of silence, Mother Nature can still throw a curveball — and when she does, continents feel it. The eruption of Hayli Gubbi shows how interconnected our world is: a volcano in a remote Ethiopian desert can ground flights in India, ripple through the Gulf airspace, and scramble travel plans for people in far‑flung places like Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

For now, airlines and aviation authorities are playing catch‑up, trying to mitigate risk while keeping people moving. For travellers — flexibility, vigilance, and a healthy dose of patience will be your best companions.