Ash from Ethiopia’s rare Hayli Gubbi eruption halts flights in India and South Asia, impacting aviation and local communities, authorities report.
A rare eruption of Ethiopia’s long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano has disrupted air travel across South Asia, sending volcanic ash thousands of kilometers from its origin in northern Ethiopia.
The volcano, located in the Afar region, erupted on the morning of Sunday November 23, 2025, blanketing nearby villages in ash. Residents told reporters they were unaware of any prior eruptions at Hayli Gubbi. Scientists confirm the volcano had remained inactive for roughly 12,000 years, with no recorded activity throughout the Holocene period, according to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program.
Satellite analysis from the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center showed ash rising up to 14 kilometers into the atmosphere. The plume drifted west over the Red Sea before reaching India, prompting flight disruptions in the region. Airlines including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, and Akasa Air canceled or diverted both domestic and international flights.
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India advised carriers to avoid affected airspace, adjust flight routes and fuel loads, and report any engine issues caused by volcanic particles. By the night of Tuesday November 25, 2025, the ash cloud had moved out of Indian airspace and was heading toward China, easing pressure on South Asian aviation networks.
Locally, the eruption has left villages near Hayli Gubbi coated in ash, affecting daily life, livestock, and agricultural activity. While there have been no immediate reports of casualties, authorities are monitoring the area closely due to the unusual nature of the eruption.
Experts say the sudden eruption of a volcano dormant for more than 12,000 years is extraordinarily rare. “The scale and altitude of the ash plume make this an event of global significance, particularly for aviation safety,” said a volcanologist with the Global Volcanism Program.
The eruption occurs amid ongoing monitoring of volcanic activity across the East African Rift, a tectonically active region with a history of significant volcanic events. Global aviation authorities rely on volcanic ash advisory centers to track ash clouds and protect aircraft from engine damage.
As of Wednesday November 26, 2025, local officials continue to assess the impact on villages surrounding Hayli Gubbi. Meanwhile, air traffic in most affected regions has largely resumed normal operations, though authorities warn that monitoring remains critical due to the potential for further ash dispersal.
