What is happening?
On August 7, 2026, a volcanic eruption of Mount Etna caused the temporary closure of Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (/airports/cta/), one of the most important airports in Sicily. Due to the presence of volcanic ash and safety risks for air traffic, over forty departing or arriving flights have been diverted to Falcone–Borsellino Airport in Palermo (/airports/pmo/).
The impact level of this event is rated 3 out of 5, a moderate situation that can cause significant inconvenience for passengers departing from or destined to Catania.
Which flights and airports are at risk?
- Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA): temporarily closed for safety reasons, flights cancelled or relocated.
- Falcone–Borsellino Airport in Palermo (PMO): alternative airport for flights originally booked to Catania.
The affected flights are mainly national and international flights that were scheduled to depart or arrive at Catania until further notice.
Passenger rights under EU261 regulation
The Etna eruption is considered an instance of “extraordinary circumstances” that justify flight cancellations or diversions for safety reasons. According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:
- Refunds or rebooking: Airlines must offer reimbursement of the ticket or rebooking on an alternative flight.
- Assistance: In cases of long delays or diversions, airlines must provide meals, drinks, and access to communications.
- Financial compensation: No financial compensation is provided if the cancellation is caused by extraordinary events such as volcanic eruptions.
Therefore, if you are a passenger affected, you are entitled to assistance and refund or an alternative flight, but not to financial compensation for the inconvenience.
Practical advice for travelers
- Check your flight status: Before going to the airport, check the status on the airline’s website or via services like FlightGuard.
- Travel alternatives: Verify if it is possible to reach Palermo to catch your flight or consider alternative connections by train or bus between Palermo and Catania.
- Airport arrival: If you must depart from Palermo, arrive well in advance and follow the airport staff’s instructions.
- Documentation: Keep all receipts for expenses incurred for meals or extra transport in case of reimbursement or assistance claims.
- Airline contacts: Keep handy the customer service contacts of your airline, especially if flying with Ryanair or EasyJet, which are very active among Sicilian airports.
Sources
- Original article on PalermoToday: Etna eruption, over 40 flights shifted to Palermo
Want to know if your next flight is at risk? Check your flight risk on FlightGuard.
