A major volcanic eruption in Ethiopia has caused significant travel disruption across the region, leading to multiple flight cancellations and delays. The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending ash clouds up to 14km high and drifting toward the Arabian Peninsula.
The ash plume forced several airlines to halt or divert services. Akasa Air cancelled flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Jeddah and Kuwait, while Air Arabia suspended morning departures from Sharjah to destinations including Damascus, Kabul, Sohar and Islamabad. A SpiceJet flight from Dubai to Kochi also faced long delays due to the hazardous conditions.
Air India suspended flights on several international and domestic routes, including services from Dubai to Hyderabad and Chennai, and halted operations between India, Doha and Saudi Arabia. The airline said it was assisting affected passengers with accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. IndiGo also diverted a flight bound for Abu Dhabi after ash drifted close to Indian airspace.
Meanwhile, Emirates and Etihad flights remained unaffected, with both airlines confirming normal operations but monitoring conditions closely. They reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains the top priority as the situation continues to evolve.
