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Volcanic Ash Disrupts Flights: Air India Cancels 11
25 Nov
Summary
- Volcanic ash cloud has temporarily disrupted satellite functions and flight operations.
- Air India cancelled 11 flights due to the ash, affecting other carriers too.
- The exact level of ash contamination is currently unclear to experts.
Volcanic ash, composed of tiny abrasive particles, has temporarily disrupted flight and satellite operations. The affected altitude is between 8.5km and 15km above sea level, with the cloud having reached northern India and now moving towards China. This has led to significant disruptions, with Air India cancelling 11 flights and other carriers like IndiGo and Akasa Air also experiencing impacts.
Authorities have issued advisories to flight operators, urging pilots to report any suspected ash encounters, including engine anomalies or unusual cabin odors. Carriers are also directed to inspect aircraft operating near affected zones and potentially suspend or delay operations if conditions worsen. Mumbai Airport has advised passengers to check flight statuses before traveling.
The precise level of ash contamination is yet to be determined, as measuring such contamination requires advance sensor deployment, which was not possible for this eruption. This situation is a stark reminder of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland, which caused extensive global travel chaos.
