**Breaking: Volcanic Ash Cloud Disrupts Air Travel Across South Asia**
**New Delhi, India – February 28, 2026** – A massive volcanic ash cloud, originating from an eruption in Ethiopia on Sunday, February 23, 2026, has caused widespread flight cancellations and delays across South Asia and the Middle East. The ash plume, reaching altitudes of up to 14 kilometers (approximately 45,000 feet), has forced numerous airlines to reroute or ground flights, impacting thousands of travelers.
The eruption of the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia, which authorities say occurred for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sent a colossal ash cloud across major air corridors. By Tuesday, February 25, 2026, the ash had drifted over Yemen and Oman, before spreading across Pakistan and into northern India. Local officials in Ethiopia reported that while there were no casualties, villages near the volcano were blanketed in ash.
Aviation authorities in India, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued advisories to airlines and airports, urging them to monitor the situation closely. Airlines were instructed to avoid affected altitudes, inspect runways for ash contamination, and report any ash encounters. Consequently, Air India cancelled approximately 13 flights, and other carriers like Akasa Air and IndiGo also reported cancellations and diversions of services to various Middle Eastern destinations and within India. KLM also cancelled a flight from Amsterdam to Delhi.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that while the ash cloud affected flight operations in the upper troposphere, it had no significant impact on ground-level weather or air quality in India. The ash cloud was expected to move towards China and clear Indian skies by late Tuesday evening. However, the disruption to air travel persisted for several days, with airports in Mumbai, Delhi, and Jaipur warning passengers of potential delays and cancellations.
This event highlights the significant impact volcanic activity can have on global air travel, even from distant regions. Previous instances, such as the 2010 eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano, caused massive European air traffic disruptions, leading to over 100,000 flight cancellations and affecting millions of passengers. Similarly, eruptions in Indonesia have previously led to flight cancellations to and from Bali, impacting thousands of travelers.
Emergency contact numbers for airlines and relevant aviation authorities are not provided in this report. Social media verification status of this developing story is ongoing.
**Developing Story:** Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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