Mount Etna volcanic eruption: Is it still safe to travel to Sicily and are flights cancelled?
Europe’s most energetic volcano has been placing on a surprising lava present however what does it imply for travellers?
Mount Etna, the tallest and most energetic volcano in Europe, is presently erupting, leaving travellers certain for the Italian island of Sicily apprehensive.
The most recent eruption started on 11 February, sending a plume of ash and lava into the air seen from miles round.
The eruption is from the volcano’s south-east crater, known as Bocca Nuova, that means ‘new mouth’.
A 3-km river of lava is flowing out of the crater.
Throughout earlier eruptions, close by cities have been lined in black volcanic ash nevertheless this eruption has triggered minimal disruption.
Vacationers and locals have continued to hike on the volcano through the eruption. Learn on for particulars on the right way to hike Mount Etna safely.
Catania airport: Is the airport closest to Mount Etna closed?
Catania airport stands on the foot of Mount Etna, giving departing and arriving passengers a spectacular view of the volcano.
Catania–Fontanarossa Airport, often known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, on the island’s east coast, is Sicily’s hottest airport with worldwide vacationers.
On 12 February, a part of Catania airport was closed resulting from decreased visibility from the ash.
Nonetheless, the airport has not been closed since and flights are presently working as regular.
Regardless of this, the airport’s administration has suggested passengers to examine their flight standing with their airline earlier than leaving house.
You possibly can examine airline’s apps or web sites for the freshest info, in addition to their social media channels. Additionally regulate the e-mail account with which you made the reserving as your airline or reserving platform might contact you to advise you of modifications.
Examine Catania airport departures and arrivals right here.
Mount Etna: Will passengers be capable to declare compensation?
In case Catania airport flights are disrupted once more, airways are required to give you one other flight or a refund is a flight is cancelled or delayed by greater than three hours.
Nonetheless, that is solely after they might have prevented the disruption. Within the case of a volcanic eruption, it isn’t their fault.
However typically airways will nonetheless endeavour to get passengers to their last vacation spot.
It is at all times sensible to have journey insurance coverage as you might be able to declare again for surprising bills.
Is it secure to journey to Sicily when Mount Etna is erupting?
Sure, it’s nonetheless secure to journey to Sicily, even when Mount Etna is erupting.
Native authorities and residents are used to coping with Mount Etna eruptions. For the final 5 years, it has been erupting a number of instances yearly. Regardless of this, tourism to Sicily has solely been on the rise.
The place is Mount Etna and is it harmful?
Mount Etna is on the east coast of the Italian island of Sicily.
It’s Europe’s most energetic volcano
Though Mt Etna erupts steadily, lava has not reached close by cities for the reason that 1800s.
Etna greater than 200 craters and when one among these does erupt, black volcanic ash lands within the metropolis of Catania, as its foot, and the numerous surrounding cities and villages. That is inconvenient to residents however often not an issue for guests.
Even throughout an eruption, there are lots of climbing trails and paths which are nonetheless secure, although it’s a authorized requirement to go up with a certified mountain information.
