Air India cancelled multiple domestic and international flights on November 24 and 25 after the Hayli Gubbi volcanic eruption prompted aviation safety alerts across several routes operating over the Indian Ocean region.
In an advisory, the airline said a number of its aircraft had flown through potentially ash-affected airspace, triggering mandatory, extended engineering inspections. Volcanic ash, even in trace amounts, can severely damage aircraft engines, clog ventilation systems, and compromise cockpit instrumentation - risks that no airline can afford to overlook.
“Safety of our passengers and crew is paramount. Aircraft that may have been exposed to volcanic ash must undergo detailed checks before they are cleared to fly,” Air India said.
Impact on International & Domestic Operations
Cancellations on November 24 included major long-haul flights:
* Newark–Delhi
• New York–Delhi
• Dubai–Hyderabad, Dubai–Chennai
• Doha–Mumbai, Doha–Delhi
• Dammam–Mumbai
On November 25, disruptions extended to domestic sectors:
* Chennai–Mumbai
• Hyderabad–Delhi
• Mumbai–Hyderabad (round trip)
• Mumbai–Kolkata (round trip)
Sources in the aviation sector said other airlines in the region are also monitoring the situation as volcanic ash plumes continue to drift unpredictably. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly sought frequent updates from global volcanic ash advisory centres and has asked Indian carriers to prioritise safety inspections over schedule commitments.
Air India said its airport teams nationwide are assisting stranded passengers with real-time flight updates, food coupons, hotel stays, and free rebooking options. Additional call-centre resources and WhatsApp/SMS alert systems have been activated to reduce chaos at terminals.
Though many passengers voiced frustration online - some stranded for over 12 hours - others acknowledged the airline’s transparent communication and on-ground assistance. A few travellers shared that staff arranged overnight accommodation and handled rebooking “smoothly despite the rush”.
When Will Flights Resume?
The airline said normal operations will resume once all affected aircraft clear mandatory post-exposure inspections, which include boroscope checks of engines, sensor re-calibrations, and assessment of external surfaces for ash abrasion.
With plume movements still being monitored, officials indicated that occasional, route-specific adjustments may continue over the next 24–48 hours. Air India apologised for the inconvenience, stating that the cancellations were “unavoidable and necessary” given the circumstances. “We request passengers to check updated status before heading to the airport,” the airline added.
