India's Aviation Regulator Sounds Alarm Over Volcanic Ash Threat in Oman
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India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an urgent advisory to airlines and airports, warning of potential safety risks due to volcanic ash activity in the Muscat Flight Information Region. The regulator has instructed flight crews to strictly follow established procedures and avoid areas with high ash concentrations. This comes after a Volcanic Ash Advisory was issued for the region, along with special aviation alerts to caution pilots about hazardous conditions. The DGCA has directed airlines to brief personnel on volcanic ash procedures, suspend or delay operations if conditions worsen, and conduct thorough inspections of aircraft engines and airframes after flights in affected areas. Airport operators have been asked to closely monitor the situation and restrict or suspend operations if ash contamination is detected. To ensure safety, the regulator has instructed airlines to activate internal risk-management processes, track weather changes, and comply with manufacturer instructions and international guidelines. Continuous monitoring of volcanic ash clouds is also required, using satellite imagery, bulletins, and meteorological data. The DGCA has emphasized the importance of staying updated with evolving ash forecasts and disseminating information to relevant operational departments. Airlines and airports have been requested to follow the advisory until further notice to minimize the risks associated with volcanic ash activity.
