How volcanic ash from 4,000 km away is affecting Delhi's flight paths

Flights from Delhi, too, had to be rescheduled on November 23 due to a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia. Alright, how does that make sense? A volcano erupts 4,000 kilometres away and flights in a few parts of India are put on hold or cancelled. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, which had lain dormant for several thousands of years, burst into life all of a sudden and threw volcanic ashes several kilometres into the atmosphere. The volcano is erupting for the first time, creating thick clouds of ash in the atmosphere. 

The DGCA urgently issued an advisory for airlines to avoid areas affected by a plume of volcanic ash from Ethiopia that, after a major eruption, swept across the Red Sea through Oman and Yemen and reached Delhi. It is moving at 100–120 km per hour while carrying ash, sulphur dioxide and tiny glass and rock fragments at elevations between 15,000 and 45,000 feet. Ash from the volcano has forced a number of flights to be cancelled, delayed and diverted across India. The aviation regulator advised airlines to "strictly avoid" areas affected by the volcanic ash. 

Experts, meanwhile, said though the extent of ash contamination is unknown, it was unlikely to affect air quality in the affected regions. How does this impact flights? Volcanic ash is a specific aviation hazard due to its abrasive nature that erodes critical aircraft components and blocks sensors, and eventually causes engine stalling or flaming out of the engine. Besides, for the jet engine to operate in an optimum condition, there has to be ample airflow and fuel combustion inside it. Volcanic ash can melt substances. 

Therefore, flights around regions across India were either cancelled or delayed to avoid possible engine failure and risk disrupting airflow. Ash clouds also carry a lot of toxic gases that can lead to severe harm to the cabin air quality, creating acute breathing problems for flyers. 

On Monday, the DGCA instructed airlines to avoid volcanic ash-affected areas and adjust flight operations accordingly. Airlines have to report any encounter with ash, related abnormalities in engines, or issues inside the cabin. If ash affects airport operations, operators are required to inspect the runways and taxiways; based on the outcome, there could be restrictions on operations until cleaning procedures are completed.