Mount Etna Eruption Forces Closure of Sicily’s Busiest Airport

Continued volcanic activity from Mount Etna has forced the closure of Vincenzo Bellini Airport in Catania, Sicily, disrupting thousands of travellers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Airport authorities said flights would remain suspended until at least 2pm local time on Saturday as volcanic ash from Mount Etna severely affected air operations. The disruption is reportedly the worst the airport has experienced in more than two decades.

More than one-third of the 1,974 flights scheduled between Thursday last week and Wednesday this week were cancelled, while another 600 flights were diverted because of the eruption.

Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and one of its most active volcanoes, is located about 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Catania. The latest eruption has renewed concerns about the risks of operating a major international airport so close to the volcano.

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded as flights were cancelled or delayed. Catania Airport normally handles at least 40,000 passengers a day, while local media reported that about 300 passengers were waiting on Thursday evening to be transferred to other airports.

The volcanic ash has also spread beyond Europe, reaching parts of North Africa.

To help travellers affected by the airport closure, Italy’s railway company Trenitalia added six extra trains to the Palermo–Messina–Catania route.

Airlines are generally not required to pay compensation for disruptions caused by volcanic eruptions because such events are considered extraordinary circumstances under passenger-rights rules.

Mount Etna remains under close monitoring as authorities assess when flights can safely resume.

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