India’s aviation ministry said on Tuesday that flight operations across the country remain “smooth and stable,” even though some aircraft were rerouted as a precaution because of volcanic ash drifting from Ethiopia. The ministry also told passengers that there is “no cause for concern.”
In its statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said it has been working closely with Air Traffic Control (ATC), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), airlines, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This coordination began soon after the 23 November volcanic eruption in Ethiopia and the eastward movement of the ash cloud.
AAI has issued the necessary NOTAM, and all affected flights have received real-time alerts, the ministry added.
MoCA said, “Operations across India remain smooth, with only a few flights rerouted or descended as a precautionary measure. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide timely updates to ensure passenger safety.”
Following the 23 Nov volcanic eruption in Ethiopia and the eastward movement of the ash cloud, MoCA—along with ATC, IMD, airlines and international aviation agencies—is ensuring seamless coordination.
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) November 25, 2025
AAI has issued the necessary NOTAM and all affected flights have been kept…
Ash Cloud Expected to Leave India by Evening
The IMD said the volcanic ash will clear Indian airspace by 7:30 pm on Tuesday. After disrupting some routes on Monday, the cloud is now moving away from the region.
IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, “The clouds are moving towards China and will exit India by this evening.”
The ash plume first entered Gujarat on Monday and then spread across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab overnight.
How the Ash Reached India
The disturbance started with the sudden eruption of Hayli Gubbi, a shield volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region. The volcano erupted on Sunday after nearly 10,000 years of lying dormant.
The explosion pushed ash up to 14 km (45,000 ft) into the atmosphere. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that the eruption began around 8:30 am GMT on Sunday. Even after the volcanic activity weakened, a large ash plume continued drifting toward northern India.
High-altitude winds carried the ash across the Red Sea, Yemen, and Oman before it crossed the Arabian Sea and entered India’s western states.
Airports Increase Vigilance
Airports across the country have been told to stay alert and check runways and aprons for ash deposits, which can damage aircraft engines and affect ground operations.
Airlines such as IndiGo, Akasa Air, and KLM have already changed flight paths and schedules due to shifting winds. IndiGo’s Kannur–Abu Dhabi flight (6E 1433) diverted to Ahmedabad on Monday. Another Indian carrier flying to Abu Dhabi carried out extensive engine checks before returning, ANI reported.
On Monday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a detailed advisory after the ash plume entered Gujarat and moved across Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. The advisory resulted in precautionary changes to several flight routes.
Despite these brief disruptions, authorities say the situation is improving quickly. They expect better visibility and clearer skies by Tuesday evening.