Massive Flight Delays Hit UAE And India Routes Due To Volcanic Ash
Travelers flying between the UAE and India faced major flight delays on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Passengers at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH) experienced significant disruptions. Services connecting to Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Amritsar, and Tiruchirappalli were impacted by volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia.
- Volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia disrupted flights between the UAE and India.
- Several Indonesian airports, including Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, faced temporary closure.
- The volcanic activity started on September 4 and caused the cancellation or delay of roughly 3,000 flights, affecting over 340,000 passengers.
Affected Flights At Abu Dhabi And Dubai Airports
At Zayed International Airport, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flights affected included 3L134 (Thiruvananthapuram), 3L128 (Kochi), 3L112 (Ahmedabad), and 3L142 (Chennai). Etihad flights including EY201 (Mumbai), EY213 (Delhi), EY343 (Chennai), EY331 (Kochi), and EY247 (Ahmedabad) also reported delays. Air India Express service IX639 to and from Tiruchirappalli was similarly impacted. At Dubai International Airport, Emirates flights EK505 (Mumbai), EK527 (Hyderabad), EK531 (Kochi), and EK511 (New Delhi) experienced delays. SpiceJet arrivals SG5155 (Amritsar), SG5118 (Kochi), and SG5060 (Mumbai) were affected, alongside departures SG5014 and SG5023 (Mumbai) and SG5106 (New Delhi). Emirates confirmed the cancellation of flights EK356 and EK357/EK359 on September 8 due to the volcanic ash, with Etihad also reporting disruptions.
Airline Response And Passenger Advice
Airlines are currently working to reorganize aircraft and crew rotations, leading to knock-on delays across the network. Passengers are strongly advised to verify their live flight status via official airline websites or applications before departing for the airport. Travelers with connecting flights or onward bookings should monitor their itinerary closely, as operational timings remain subject to change. Airlines recommend keeping contact information updated within Manage Booking sections to receive timely notifications regarding rebookings or gate changes.