Mount Etna Eruption Causes Flight Disruptions in Sicily

Mount Etna has once again disrupted air travel in Sicily, prompting the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to update its travel guidance for Italy. Local authorities have raised the alert level for the volcano, leading to cancellations, delays, and re-routing of flights at Catania Airport.

The FCDO's updated guidance notes that the alert level for Mount Etna has been increased due to volcanic activity. Travelers are advised to follow the directives of local authorities and to check with their travel providers or Catania Airport for the latest flight status. While the overall travel to Italy is not discouraged, disruptions at Catania Airport, Sicily's primary air gateway, are a current concern.

The Italian Civil Protection Department has set the current alert level for Mount Etna to yellow. Catania Airport has reported multiple flight cancellations, including services to Manchester, Rome, and Venice. Operations were temporarily suspended until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, with passengers urged to verify flight statuses with their airlines before heading to the airport.

This is not the first time Mount Etna's activity has impacted flights. The airport experienced similar disruptions on Saturday due to volcanic ash in the airspace. Last month, Catania Airport was forced to suspend flights for extended periods due to ash emissions from the volcano, affecting numerous travelers. In one instance, airspace restrictions were prolonged until August 13, and on another occasion, the airport temporarily shut down two weeks prior to that due to ash spewing from Mount Etna.

Airlines operating between Catania and the UK include British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. Catania Airport ranks as Italy's fifth-busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic.