Mumbai: A major but unusual event caused the diversion of an IndiGo flight on Monday.
Flight 6E-1433, travelling from Kannur to Abu Dhabi, had to be diverted to Ahmedabad because of a massive volcanic eruption in Ethiopia. Scientists described it as one of the region’s most extraordinary volcanic eruptions in recorded history.
After the Airbus aircraft landed safely in Ahmedabad, IndiGo said it will operate a return service to Kannur for passengers who were travelling to Abu Dhabi.
Ash plumes from Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted in Ethiopia on Sunday for the first time in nearly 10,000 years, could move towards northern India, thereby raising concerns for planes passing through the region.
The situation is being closely monitored by aviation authorities and airlines for potential disruptions in flight operations over Delhi and Jaipur.
Some flights have already adjusted routes to avoid the volcanic plume.
In an advisory, Akasa Air said it is tracking the volcanic activity closely in accordance with international aviation protocols, and that passenger safety remains its “utmost priority”.
Volcanic ash affects Oman, Yemen
It was on Sunday morning (local time) that the Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Erta Ale Range, started sending towering columns of ash and sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere.
As per satellite assessments made by Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, the plume rose between 10 km and 15 km, drifting eastward across the Red Sea.
The ash cloud has already affected regions in
Certain regions in Oman and Yemen have been affected by the ash, triggering warnings and advisories by environmental and aviation authorities.
