Airlines forced to cancel flights as European airport closes at short notice following volcano eruption
FLIGHTS have been cancelled at a popular tourist destination this morning after a volcano eruption prevented planes from taking off.
84 flights altogether have been cancelled because of the disruption, affecting thousands of passengers.
Catania airport on the Italian island of Sicily was forced to shut on Friday (July 5) after Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, erupted and spewed ash into the sky, disrupting air travel.
The company managing the airport has released a statement, saying:"The runway at Catania Airport is unusable due to volcanic ash fall: both arrivals and departures are suspended."
Flights are expected to resume at 3pm local time, or 2pm BST.
The airport told travellers to check the status of their flights before travelling.
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Overall, 54 flights due to depart from Catania Airport have been cancelled, which is 43 per cent of all scheduled departures, according to aviation analysts Cirium.
Meanwhile, 30 arrivals have also been cancelled, equalling 24 per cent of all scheduled arrivals.
Ryanair has seen the highest number of cancellations to and from the airport, followed by easyJet and ITA Airways.
Eight outbound flights were scheduled from the UK to Catania Airport today.
Ash plumes shot up into the sky as high as 4.5 kilometres, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
Footage shared on social media on Friday showed the streets of Catania's city centre covered in thick layers of black ash, slowing down traffic.
Mount Etna -- a soaring 3,324-metres high (10,905 feet) volcano -- has erupted multiple times in recent decades.
Over the last few days, its crater had started spitting out fountains of scorching lava and releasing ash that landed on Catania airport down below.
Italian authorities also issued a red warning for another volcano north of Sicily, Stromboli -- on the island of the same name -- whose eruption created ash clouds.
Mount Stromboli -- culminating at 920 metres and with a base reaching 2,000 metres below sea level -- is known for being one of the only nearly constantly active volcanoes in the world, according to the INGV.
Flight compensation rules
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of the "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Millions of passengers transit through Catania airport every year, connecting them to eastern Sicily, among Italy's most popular tourist hotspots.
Brits heading to Italy had been issued with new travel advice earlier this year, after the country was hit by its "strongest earthquake in 40 years" right next to a volcano.
The Foreign Office updated its advice for anyone travelling to southern Italy after an area near Naples experienced a rise in seismic activity.
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Meanwhile, these baggage handler strikes in Italy are also be set to cause problems for holidaymakers this summer.
And walkouts at this UK airport will also disrupt people's holiday plans.
