Volcanic Ash Cloud Disrupts Flights Across India

ETHIOPIA – A massive volcanic eruption in Ethiopia is causing travel disruptions thousands of miles away. The Hayli Gubbi volcano — erupting for the first time ever — sent ash nearly 14 kilometers into the atmosphere on Sunday.

That ash traveled across Yemen and Oman before drifting over Pakistan and into northern India on Tuesday.

Air India grounded 11 flights over the last two days, saying it needed to conduct precautionary checks on aircraft that may have passed through affected airspace.

Budget carrier Akasa also canceled several Middle East routes.

India’s Civil Aviation Ministry says only a small number of flights had to be rerouted.

Ethiopia sits on one of the world’s most active volcanic belts, with scientists warning that dozens of its volcanoes can become active at any time.