PASSENGERS are facing disruption today at an airport in Sicily following a volcanic eruption.
Catania Airport has suspended all flights until this afternoon due to an eruption on Mount Etna – and it’s not for the first time as hundreds of flights were forced to cancel last month.
An ash cloud has caused airspace closures in Sicily which is affecting both arrivals and departures at Catania Airport.
Due to volcanic ash into the atmosphere, flights have been suspended until at least 2.30pm (local time) today.
The airport said: “Passengers are kindly requested to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.
“Further updates will follow.”
For Brits, the disruption today has affected one easyJet flight so far, it is departing London Gatwick at 10am and will be diverted to Palermo.
Another easyJet flight heading to London Gatwick from Catania Airport remains on the schedule for 10.35am – although it’s likely to be cancelled following the suspension.
Later today, a BA flight scheduled to depart London Gatwick for Catania Airport remains scheduled for 7.55pm.
Flights first started being cancelled and diverted yesterday when Mount Etna erupted again.
Last month, ongoing eruptions from Mount Etna forced Sicily’s busiest airport to shut for five days in a row resulting in hundreds of cancelled flights.
Families who had their flights cancelled were left stranded with videos on social media showing holidaymakers sleeping on the airport floor and even luggage belts.
Last time Mount Etna erupted nearby Malta International Airport had to cancel 19 flights due to volcanic ash.
What does the disruption due to Mount Etna mean for passengers?
Anton Radchenko, air passenger rights expert and founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, explained what the disruption means for customers…
“When volcanic ash closes airspace, airlines will usually class it as an extraordinary circumstance, which means fixed cash compensation is unlikely.
“However, I would urge passengers not to confuse ‘no compensation’ with ‘no rights’.
“The airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and provide reasonable meals, accommodation and transport while passengers wait.
“If you still need to get home, do not automatically accept a refund.
“Once you accept it, the airline’s rerouting and care obligations will normally end.
“Ask for the earliest reasonable alternative and, if another airline can get you back significantly sooner, ask to be transferred to that service.
“If you have to pay for reasonable essentials because the airline fails to provide them, keep every itemised receipt so you can seek reimbursement.”
This is supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s current cancellation guidance which you can find here.