Jaw-dropping beaches, lush vineyards, marvellous seafood and around 300 days of sun per year make Sicily one of Europe’s most popular Mediterranean islands. However, one of its must-see landmarks is also routinely the cause of travel chaos – Mount Etna.
Throughout July and August, various eruptions meant flights were temporarily grounded at Catania airport, which lies in the shadow of the volcano. Now, a volcanic ash cloud has disrupted air traffic again, forcing the airport to suspend flights for a third consecutive day.
It’s frustrating news for anyone hoping to fly in or out of one of Italy’s busiest airports, so here is everything you need to know about this latest round of Mount Etna eruptions.
What’s happening in Sicily?
Perched on Sicily’s rugged east coast, Mount Etna towers over 3,300m tall and is one of the most popular attractions for visitors on the island.
It also happens to be one of the planet’s most active volcanoes, with this round of travel disruption caused by the ash which has billowed out of the summit since Saturday. The Independent reports that all operations at Catania airport (which is Italy’s fifth busiest) will be suspended until at least 9.59pm on Monday.
This comes after airport operator SAC announced that 36 percent of the nearly 2,000 flights scheduled to land at the hub between August 6-12 were cancelled, and more than 600 were diverted to other airports.
There was also major disruption on September 14 because of volcanic ash, which poses a ‘great risk for aircraft’, according to a researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology’s Etna Observatory, Boris Behncke.
Are flights cancelled?
Yes, at the time of writing, no flights will be departing from or landing at Catania airport until 9.59pm on Monday September 28 at the earliest, however, this could be extended if the ash cloud still poses a threat.
If you have plans to fly, check your journey’s status directly with the airline. In these circumstances, it’s common for flights to be rerouted to other airports on the island, which aren’t affected by the ash cloud. However, this isn’t without its challenges. On Saturday, the cancellations at Catania had knock-on effects for Comiso, Palermo and Trapani airports, which became congested with rerouted services and many passengers faced long delays, according to euronews.
What’s the latest UK government advice?
The UK’s FCDO has not issued advice against travelling to Sicily, nor any specific mention of the latest eruptions at Mount Etna. The safety and security page has a section on volcanoes, which reads as follows: ‘Airspace can be affected during eruptions. If you are travelling to or from Catania, during a period of heightened activity, check with your travel provider or with Catania airport.’
‘Read what to do in the event of a volcanic eruption and follow the instructions of the local authorities.’
What are your rights if you have a trip booked?
An unexpected volcanic eruption or ash cloud would likely fall under the category of ‘extraordinary circumstances’, which unfortunately means airlines aren’t obliged to compensate you for cancellations.
However, you are still entitled to help if you’ve faced suspension or significant delays, such as rebooking onto an alternative flight or providing food or accommodation.
The best thing to do is always consult your travel insurance policy and speak directly with your airline to see if your travel plans can be cancelled or rescheduled.
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