Mount Etna eruption grounds flights at Sicily’s busiest airport
Authorities at Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini Airport have suspended operations until at least 14:00 local time on Saturday, citing the greatest disruption in over two decades.
Continuing volcanic activity from Mount Etna has compelled authorities to close Vincenzo Bellini Airport in Catania, Sicily’s primary aviation hub. Officials confirmed on Friday that flight suspensions will remain in effect until at least 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Saturday. The closure marks the most significant operational disruption the airport has experienced in more than twenty years.
The eruption has caused widespread cancellations and diversions. Between last Thursday and this Wednesday, more than a third of the 1,974 scheduled flights were cancelled, with an additional 600 flights diverted. Catania, located 30 kilometres south of Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, typically processes at least 40,000 passengers daily. The current standstill has left hundreds of travellers stranded during what is usually the busiest travel week of the year.
Local media reported that approximately 300 passengers were waiting on Thursday evening for transfer arrangements to other airports. The Italian train operator Trenitalia has responded to the crisis by adding six extra trains to the Palermo-Messina-Catania route to assist displaced travellers. Despite these measures, many passengers remain uncertain about their travel plans, with some facing repeated cancellations and rescheduling issues.
The proximity of the airport to Mount Etna has renewed scrutiny regarding infrastructure planning near volatile geological sites. The ash cloud from the eruption has also extended beyond Europe, reaching as far as North Africa, highlighting the widespread atmospheric impact of the activity. Travelers planning to pass through Catania on Saturday have been advised to contact their airlines directly to verify flight status.
While passengers typically have the right to claim compensation for severe travel disruptions, volcanic eruptions are generally classified as extraordinary circumstances. This classification means airlines are not legally obliged to provide financial compensation for the delays and cancellations caused by the current volcanic activity.
