An IndiGo flight from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted on Monday due to volcanic activity on its flight path. The plane was forced to land in Ahmedabad — with the airline later assuring passengers a return service to their departure point. The incident came mere hours after another IndiGo plane was damaged after being struck by a bird on the runway of Jolly Grant Airport in Uttarakhand.
“Indigo 6E 1433 from Kannur to Abu Dhabi was diverted to Ahmedabad due to volcanic activity. The flight has now landed in Ahmedabad and Indigo will provide return service to Kannur,” read an update from the airline.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted for the first time in 10,000 years on Sunday — sending a massive ash cloud drifting towards northern India. According to local media reports, volcanic ash activity has been reported over parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Indian airlines sound alarm
Multiple airlines have issued cautionary notices for passengers flying through the Middle East on Monday — though no advisories have been connected to the ash drift toward India. Both SpiceJet and Akasa Air said that they were monitoring the situation and coordinating with aviation authorities. Passengers travelling to and from Dubai have also been advised to check their flight status.
“Due to a volcanic eruption in Ethiopia, volcanic ash activity has been reported across parts of the Arabian Peninsula. This may impact flight operations for aircraft flying through these regions. As safety remains our top priority, our Flight Operations and Safety teams are closely coordinating with aviation authorities and continuously monitoring ash cloud movement. Passengers travelling to/from Dubai (DXB) are advised to keep a check on their flight status,” said SpiceJet.
“We are closely monitoring the volcanic activity in Ethiopia and its potential impact on flight operations in nearby regions. Our teams will continue to assess the situation in compliance with international aviation advisories and safety protocols and take necessary actions as required,” added Akasa Air.
Indigo plane damaged in bird hit
The incident came mere hours after another IndiGo plane — carrying passengers from Mumbai — suffered a bird hit while landing in Dehradun. Officials said the aircraft had been damaged when a bird struck the nose of Indigo flight IGO 5032. The strike took place around 6:45 pm on Sunday with 186 passengers on board.