Volcanic ash alert: DGCA instructs airlines on strict avoidance and safety measures

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an urgent advisory to Indian airlines and airport operators following reports of volcanic ash activity in the Muscat Flight Information Region (FIR) and adjoining areas. The regulator warned that the ash poses a significant safety risk to aircraft operating in the region.

A Volcanic Ash Advisory, along with an ASHTAM—an aviation-specific alert issued as a type of NOTAM—has been released to alert pilots to hazardous conditions. The DGCA instructed all Indian aviation operators to brief flight and ground personnel on the Operations Manual – Volcanic Ash and ensure strict compliance with its protocols.

Key directives for airlines and airport operators include:

• Avoid all published ash-affected areas and flight levels.
• Continuously monitor updates to Volcanic Ash Advisories, NOTAMs, and meteorological data.
• Adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel requirements based on the latest guidance.
• Immediately report any suspected encounter with ash, including engine performance fluctuations or cabin smoke/odour.
• Implement internal risk management measures such as monitoring engine anomalies, tracking cabin smoke/odour, and assessing weather changes that could affect ash dispersion.
• Ensure compliance with aircraft manufacturer instructions and ICAO volcanic ash guidelines.

Airport operators have been instructed to maintain 24×7 monitoring of volcanic ash clouds using satellite imagery, advisory bulletins, and meteorological data. If ash contamination occurs at airports, immediate inspections of runways, taxiways, and aprons must be conducted. Operations may be restricted or suspended until proper cleaning procedures are completed.

The DGCA emphasised the importance of disseminating evolving ash movement forecasts to all operational departments and maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols until the situation stabilises.

Why the advisory matters:

Volcanic ash clouds are highly hazardous to aviation. They can damage jet engines, reduce visibility, and create health hazards within aircraft cabins. Exposure to ash-laden airspace can lead to serious incidents, including engine failure. ASHTAM advisories are designed to alert pilots and recommend avoidance measures, such as flight-level changes and route adjustments.

The Muscat FIR is a key flight corridor for regional and international traffic, making proactive precautionary measures critical. Airlines are advised to conduct post-flight inspections after flights near affected zones and suspend operations at impacted airports until safety is assured.

DGCA’s advisory reflects increased global monitoring of volcanic activity, highlighting the long-range risks ash clouds pose to commercial aviation. Coordinated vigilance among airlines, pilots, dispatchers, and airport operators is essential to safeguard passengers, crew, and aircraft.