Ash from Mount Etna volcano forces closure of Sicily's busiest airport during peak holiday week

Italy's federation of travel agencies and tour operators has called for a task force to coordinate responses to disruptions caused by Mount Etna and a review of how airlines handled cancellations.

Ash spewing from Sicily's Mount Etna has forced the closure of the Italian island’s largest airport for the fifth consecutive day, stranding hundreds of summer holiday travellers during the busiest travel week of the year.

The latest activity by Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, has been unusual for its persistence and sustained ash emissions.

Ash spewing from Sicily’s Mount Etna has forced the closure of the Italian island’s largest airport for the fifth consecutive day, stranding hundreds of summer holiday travellers during the busiest travel week of the year.

Ash spewing from Sicily’s Mount Etna has forced the closure of the island’s largest airport for the fifth consecutive day

Persistent Etna ash shuts Sicily’s busiest airport during peak holiday week  AP News

Persistent ash spewing from Mount Etna is continuing to disrupt travel plans for holidaymakers looking to fly from Sicily’s largest airport

Persistent Etna ash shuts Catania airport during peak holiday week  Toronto Star

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or rerouted this week

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday  Reuters

CATANIA, Aug 14 - Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Saturday because of ash from Mount Etna's ongoing volcanic activity, which has forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled or rerouted over the past week.

Evgenia Filimianova from London, flew to Sicily to attend a friend's wedding with her husband but the pair now "feel like there is no way out" after a huge ash cloud from Mount Etna grounded flights

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A replacement bus service will run between affected stations during the closure

Catania Airport in Sicily has suspended all inbound flights after ash from Mount Etna's latest eruption spread into nearby airspace