Due to an 8-kilometer-high ash cloud causing disruptions to air travel, Catania International Airport has to close due to Mount Etna’s eruption. The stoppage, according to airport management, may cause flight cancellations and diversions. Once the ashfall stops, regular operations will resume. Aero Italia declared that Tuesday would be a closed airport. No. On the island’s east coast, in Catania, there won’t be any flights arriving or departing. A number of flights from Catania Airport are expected to be canceled due to the current weather, and others will be rerouted to Palermo and Comiso airports. A roar from Mount Etna was heard by the locals, and windows shook.
Passengers received notice regarding their departure from Catania to Sicily
According to airport officials, travelers leaving from Catania Airport are advised to confirm the status of their flight before arriving at the airport. Although official numbers are still pending, the airport’s departure board has now canceled flights through 4:10 p.m local time. After this, the flight status is not shown. Five of the planes scheduled to depart between 1 and 3 p.m. will be rerouted to Palermo, and one will be diverted to Comiso. Six planes are scheduled to arrive in Palermo, one to Comiso, and one to Trapani between 1 and 3 p.m. Setting up transfers and changing routes to Catania While many planes will be completely canceled, some will be diverted to other Sicilian airports. This primarily affects flights that were in the air at the time of Catania Airport’s closure. The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea is Sicily. It is twice the size of Cyprus as a sovereign nation, and traveling from east to west by car takes at least eight hours. Located in the eastern part of the island, Comiso airport is two hours’ drive from Catania airport. It takes four to five hours to travel from Catania to Palermo and Trapani, which are located in the western part of the island. In addition to bus connections between the larger cities, automobile rental firms are available at Sicily’s airports. Airports and airlines have free buses to transport travelers to the airports where they were supposed to land during past travel disruptions.
Mount Etna remains a threat as an active volcano
Image Source: Shutterstock
Mount Etna towers majestically over the Italian island, situated on Sicily’s eastern coast. Its striking prominence serves as a reminder of the area’s volcanic past. Over the past five years, the most active volcano in Europe has experienced a dramatic increase in activity, solidifying its image as a massive and dynamic force of nature. Nearby cities have not been in danger from Etna’s lava flows in more than 200 years. The 19th century saw the last occurrence of this kind.
Is it safe to travel to Sicily ?
Indeed, it is safe to travel to Sicily, even when Mount Etna is erupting. The tourist sector in Sicily is untouched by the present drought; the majority of hotels and other lodgings are still open and welcome guests to the island. The standard heat safety measures for travelers are to stay in the shade during the warmest portions of the day, drink lots of water, and get medical attention if they feel sick.
Passengers who are entitled to compensation
The airline is required to provide a refund or an alternate flight in the event that a flight is canceled or delayed for longer than three hours. This is only true, though, if they were able to stop the interruption. It is not their fault if there is a volcanic eruption. However, airlines will typically make an effort to get customers to their destination. Purchasing travel insurance is always a good idea to cover unforeseen costs, as you might be eligible for reimbursement.
