Image Credit : KT File
Travel delays across the region are expected to continue for at least another two days following the eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Mountain, according to industry experts. The volcanic activity, which began on Sunday after more than 12,000 years of dormancy, has forced airlines to reroute flights and cancel several services.
Safeer Mohammed, General Manager at Smart Travels, said the impact has been significant on routes connecting the UAE and India. “Disruptions can be expected for at least another two days,” he said. “Several flights between India and the UAE have been cancelled over the past few days, affecting many travellers’ plans.”
Raheesh Babu, COO of online travel agency Musafir.com, said passengers are being urged to stay alert and reconfirm their travel schedules. “We had a passenger who needed to get home urgently, but his flight was cancelled,” he explained. “We rebooked him through a different Indian sector, followed by domestic connections. We are asking travellers to double-check their bookings before heading to the airport to avoid last-minute surprises.”
Wider Regional Impact
The volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region within the Great Rift Valley, may also affect air quality in neighbouring countries. The Oman Environment Authority has issued an advisory on potential gas and ash emissions drifting over parts of Oman and Yemen.
Flight operations across the Gulf have already seen knock-on effects. Safeer described his own travel experience earlier this week: “Our captain announced a one-hour delay due to restrictions over Muscat airspace. While it’s unclear if it was directly linked to the eruption, travellers should brace for delays in the coming days.”
Raheesh noted that heavy fog across parts of the UAE on Wednesday added to the disruption. “There are multiple factors at play,” he said. “We’re advising travellers to expect delays or cancellations and to remain patient. Schedules should gradually return to normal within the next couple of days.”
Why Travel Insurance Matters
The situation has highlighted the value of having comprehensive travel insurance, said Toshita Chauhan, Chief Business Officer of General Insurance at Policybazaar.ae.
“When flights are cancelled due to natural events like volcanic eruptions, plans can change within minutes,” she said. “Travellers should check official airline updates first. Most carriers will offer free rebooking or refunds, even if you’ve already checked in.”
She added that travel insurance can cover unexpected costs such as hotel stays, meals, transportation or missed connections. Keeping all documentation is essential, including boarding passes, cancellation notices, check-in records and receipts. “Saving helpline numbers and digital copies of documents can make a big difference when you’re stressed,” she said.
Chauhan also warned against choosing insurance policies based solely on price. “Low-cost plans often have limited benefits or exclusions that may catch travellers off guard,” she said. “It’s important to choose a policy that matches your destination, length of stay and type of trip, and to review exclusions carefully.”
