Mount Etna erupts, flights to and from Eastern Sicily Airports disrupted; Here are the details

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Mount Etna. The volcano's ash plume has spread across the eastern part of the island, causing significant disruptions to air travel and affecting key airports.

Catania airport, which typically handles around 200 flights daily during August, was forced to close following the eruption. This crucial airport serves as the primary gateway to Sicily and is situated approximately 50 kilometers south of Mount Etna. The disruption was evident with the arrival of a flight from Casablanca at 2:38 am local time on a Monday.

The volcanic activity's impact was evident with flights experiencing significant delays and diversions. EasyJet's 6:30 am flight from London Gatwick to Catania faced an extensive hold at the Sussex airport, with an estimated arrival time pushed to 8:00 pm – a delay spanning over nine hours. Passengers were informed that volcanic activity had prompted restrictions in flight routes to ensure safety.

British Airways encountered similar disruptions with its 7:10 am departure from Gatwick to Catania, also enduring a nine-hour delay. Ryanair, a prominent low-cost carrier, had to divert seven flights bound for Catania to Trapani airport, located at the western end of Sicily. The carrier issued apologies to passengers, explaining that the volcanic eruption had caused circumstances beyond their control.

The eruption's ripple effects were felt across numerous other flights. At least ten ITA flights connecting Rome and Catania were among the cancellations. With Mount Etna's activity affecting airspace and safety considerations being paramount, travelers have faced considerable