Flight diversion amid volcanic ash threat
An IndiGo (flight 6E 1433) operating from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted on Monday, 24 November 2025, to Ahmedabad after the airline detected volcanic activity that could impact its flight path. The aircraft landed safely in Ahmedabad, and passengers are being accommodated for onward travel. The disruption follows the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, which geologists say has been dormant for nearly 10,000 years before its sudden reawakening. The eruption has sent ash and sulphur plumes up to 10–15 km into the atmosphere, drifting over the Red Sea towards the Arabian Peninsula and potentially affecting Indian airspace.
Why the diversion was necessary
Volcanic ash in flight paths is a serious hazard — it can damage jet engines, disrupt instrumentation and reduce visibility. Given the projected movement of the ash cloud towards western India and adjacent air routes, IndiGo made a precautionary decision to divert the flight rather than risk exposure. The ash plume was expected to reach parts of India such as Jamnagar by evening. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airline operations teams are monitoring the situation closely, especially for flights crossing or connecting via airspace near the trajectory of the plume.
Wider implications for air travel and safety
- Several airlines operating Middle‑East and India‑Asia routes are expected to adjust altitudes, routes or delay flights depending on ash‑cloud forecasts.
- The incident underscores the growing complexity of aviation planning in an era of increased volcanic and climate‑linked disruptions.
- For Indian carriers, this diversion may lead to cost implications (fuel, time, logistics) and affect passenger schedules during a busy travel season.
Scientific and meteorological context
Hayli Gubbi’s eruption is notable not only for its scale but also for its rarity: the volcano had no known recorded eruption in historical times. Geological analysis places its last eruption possibly 10,000 years ago. Satellite imagery captured the vast plume spreading across the Red Sea and towards Yemen and Oman; from there, atmospheric winds are carrying ash toward South Asia. Tracking such plumes has become vital for aviation safety, given that even remote eruptions can impact global air routes.
What passengers should know
- If you are booked on the Kannur–Abu Dhabi route or similar west‑bound flights, check your airline app or notifications for any updated routing or delays.
- Keep a buffer of flexibility in travel plans as carriers may reroute or reschedule flights until clear skies are confirmed.
- For airports in western India, including Jamnagar, Ahmedabad and Mumbai, airlines may impose temporary route restrictions or plan diversions if ash levels increase.
- Listen to official advisories rather than social‑media posts — aviation authorities will issue formal updates when airspace restrictions apply.
Final word
What began as a geological event in a remote region of Ethiopia has widened into a real‑time operational challenge for airlines flying across India‑Middle East corridors. The safe diversion of the IndiGo flight shows that preparedness and proactive routing can mitigate risk — but the incident also serves as a critical reminder: in a globalised air‑travel network, an eruption thousands of kilometres away can impact a flight at home. For passengers and airlines alike, the story is not just about a single diverted flight, but about how modern aviation must adapt to nature’s unexpected turns.
