Several aircraft bound for the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake were diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport due to prevailing adverse weather conditions. 

It is reported that heavy rainfall and poor visibility around Katunayake forced the redirection of incoming flights.

According to reports, approximately six aircraft arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport were rerouted to Mattala as a precautionary measure.  (Newswire)

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The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Private Limited (AASL) has assured the public that it is taking all necessary, proactive steps to manage and mitigate the impact of the severe storm conditions, including Cyclone Ditwah, on operations at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

The AASL said since 22:55 hrs yesterday (27), a total of 15 inbound aircraft have been safely diverted to alternative international airports, including Mattala (MRIA), Trivandrum, and Cochin, due to unsafe landing conditions at BIA.

Issuing a statement, the AASL said that it has also registered 16 flight delays at BIA.

The AASL further said that Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) is being kept on a state of high alert and is fully prepared to accommodate any further diversions, having already handled up to six diverted flights. 

The AASL added that one scheduled flight from Jaffna International Airport has been cancelled in consideration of prevailing weather risks.

“We strongly urge all individuals scheduled to travel to or BIA today and tomorrow to contact their respective airlines immediately for the most current and specific flight status information before traveling to the airport,” it added. (Newswire)

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Several flights were cancelled, and Indian airlines and airports were issued an advisory to deal with possible disruptions due to an ash plume from the volcanic activity in Ethiopia on Monday. The ash cloud is now moving over northern India.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending thick ash plumes across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman. The cloud has now stretched over the northern Arabian Sea.

The ash cloud’s dense, concentrated parts are transitioning over Delhi, Haryana and the adjoining Uttar Pradesh region. The plumes could plummet the air quality in Delhi and its neighbouring areas. However, there are low chances of it as the ash clouds are thousands of feet up in the atmosphere.

Akasa Air, IndiGo and KLM are among the airlines that cancelled flights due to the volcanic ash issue.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed airlines to avoid ash-affected areas, adjust flight planning, routing, and fuel considerations based on the latest advisories.

Airlines have also been asked to immediately report any suspected ash encounter, including engine performance anomalies or cabin smoke or odour.

If volcanic ash affects airport operations, then the operator concerned must immediately inspect runways, taxiways, and aprons, the DGCA said.

Operators have been asked to continuously monitor the situation related to the volcanic ash cloud and stay updated through satellite imagery and meteorological data.

Akasa Air said its flights to and from Jeddah, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 24 and 25 have been cancelled due to the ash plume.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines cancelled its Amsterdam-Delhi service (KL 871) and the return Delhi-Amsterdam flight (KL 872) due to the ash cloud.

IndiGo, in a post on X, said, “Following the recent eruption of the #HayliGubbi volcano in #Ethiopia, ash clouds are reported to be drifting towards parts of western India. We understand that such news may cause concern, and we want to reassure you that your safety remains our highest priority”.

The volcano in the Afar region of Ethiopia erupted on Sunday morning, leaving the neighbouring village of Afdera covered in dust. According to Afar TV, the eruption caused moderate tremors in areas around Erta Ale and Afdera town. The volcano is located about nine miles (15 kilometres) southeast of the active Erta Ale volcano. (NDTV)

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