The sight of volcanic ash drifting over Delhi ~ originating from an eruption thousands of kilometres away in Ethiopia ~ feels almost surreal. Such events are not part of India’s daily weather vocabulary. Yet, here we are: flights grounded or rerouted, passengers scrambling for updates, and aviation authorities on high alert, all because a long-dormant volcano on the Horn of Africa decided to wake up. This moment should not be dismissed as a random meteorological curiosity. It is a reminder of how profoundly interconnected our world has become, and how fragile our systems remain when faced with forces beyond human control. Volcanic ash is more than just dust in the wind.

These microscopic, abrasive particles pose acute danger to aircraft engines and sensors, often invisible on radar. Aviation history offers enough cautionary tales: engines shutting down mid-flight, runways contaminated, and airspace closures spanning continents. The 2010........

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