Catania airport closure extended as Mount Etna ash disrupts flights

Catania airport in Sicily remains closed until midnight due to heavy volcanic ash emissions from Mount Etna. The airport's operator, SAC, announced the closure of the relevant airspace because of unfavourable wind conditions and ash in the atmosphere. All arrivals and departures have been suspended.

The shutdown has had a ripple effect on the regional transport network, with other Sicilian airports such as Comiso, Palermo, and Trapani becoming congested with diverted aircraft. Thousands of travellers have been left stranded, searching for alternative solutions. According to Euronews, this has triggered an economic and industrial-relations dispute, with trade unions denouncing the risk of speculation on air fares.

Flights have been disrupted, including those operated by flydubai, which has cancelled its services between Dubai and Catania. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport. The airport operator has promised to issue further updates.

Brief written by urgent.news from Ajel English, Euronews, Gulf News — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.