Due to the ash from a volcanic eruption, the airspace was significantly affected, leading to the cancellation of seven international flights between 1 PM and 6 PM on Tuesday. During this timeframe, twelve additional international flights experienced delays as airlines adjusted their operations in response to the ash-related disruptions. Both incoming and outgoing flights were impacted, prompting airlines to modify flight speeds based on current safety assessments. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the ash cloud generated by the eruption in Ethiopia is expected to clear from Indian skies by 7:30 PM on Tuesday, which should bring an end to the reported disturbances across various regions of the country.

The smoke, which initially disrupted flights in northwestern India, has now begun to drift towards China. This ash cloud entered Gujarat on Monday and spread overnight to several areas, including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab. The eruption occurred at the Helai Gubbi shield volcano in the Afar region of Ethiopia, marking its first significant activity in nearly 10,000 years, with ash being propelled up to 14 kilometers high. The Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) reported that the explosive phase of the eruption began around 8:30 AM GMT, creating a large ash plume that continued to move towards northern India even after the eruption subsided.

Ash columns from the Afar region, located approximately 800 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa near the Eritrea border, have reached Yemen and Oman, propelled by strong upper-level winds, and eventually flowed towards western and northern India via the Arabian Sea.

The IMD noted that the ash cloud advanced with high-altitude wind currents, which carried it from Ethiopia across the Red Sea to Yemen and Oman, and further over the Arabian Sea towards western and northern India. Satellite instruments, VAAC bulletins, and dispersion modeling aided in monitoring the situation. As the ash cloud passed, a layer of haze enveloped Delhi, causing air quality to plummet into the very poor category, raising concerns among residents and officials. Weather monitoring offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Kolkata issued ICAO-standard SIGMET warnings, advising airports to avoid specific airspace sections and flight levels marked by VAAC. As the ash cloud progressed, flight operations faced pressure in several areas, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue a detailed advisory on Monday.

Airlines such as Indigo, Akasa Air, and KLM have revised their schedules while officials continue to monitor the ash cloud's movement.