Akasa Air cancels flights to Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi after volcanic ash disrupts air routes

Akasa Air has cancelled its flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24 and 25, following the spread of a volcanic ash plume from Ethiopia that affected key flight corridors between India and the Gulf. The airline said the volcanic activity created unsafe flying conditions, prompting the precautionary suspension of operations.

A spokesperson for Akasa Air said, “Following recent volcanic activity in Ethiopia and the resulting ash plume in the surrounding airspace, our flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for 24th and 25th November 2025 have been cancelled.” The carrier offered passengers a full refund or the option to rebook on another flight within the next seven days at no additional cost.

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Akasa Air said its operational teams were assessing the evolving situation in coordination with international aviation advisories and safety authorities. “At Akasa Air, passenger safety and well-being is our utmost priority,” the airline said in its statement.

The volcanic eruption at Ethiopia’s Hauli Gubbi volcano, the first in over 10,000 years, released ash up to 45,000 feet into the atmosphere. The ash cloud moved northeast at speeds between 100 and 120 kmph, affecting high-altitude air routes connecting India and the Middle East.

Other airlines also faced disruptions. IndiGo said it was coordinating with aviation agencies to ensure passenger safety. Its Kannur–Abu Dhabi flight (6E1433) was diverted to Ahmedabad when the ash cloud entered Indian airspace. KLM and several other international carriers also cancelled flights as a precaution.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory urging airlines and airports to remain alert and monitor real-time weather and volcanic updates. The India Meteorological Department reported that the ash plume, situated about 10 km above ground level, was unlikely to worsen air quality in Delhi or nearby cities and that its impact would be short-lived as it continued moving eastward.

The volcanic event disrupted air traffic across parts of northwest India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab, as airlines and authorities adjusted operations in response to the shifting conditions.