Second European airport forced to cancel flights as volcano eruption causes more travel chaos

MORE flights are being cancelled across Europe today, after days of chaos. Since the weekend, Catania Airport has been forced to suspend all flights after the eruption of Mount Etna. An eruption of Mount Etna has caused disruption at two airports Credit: Alamy Ash from Mount Etna has drifted across to Malta Credit: Roby Fazio / SplashNews.com There’s also disruption at another airport too as the ash cloud from the active volcano has now reached the Maltese islands. By midday yesterday, airlines had cancelled up to 19 flights departing from Malta International Airport with others experiencing delays caused by volcanic ash. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! Warnings of disruption to arrivals and departures at the Maltese airport continues today. A message on Malta Airport website reads: “Malta International Airport is currently experiencing flight disruptions due to volcanic ash clouds over the Maltese Islands following recent activity at Mount Etna. “Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight on maltairport.com/flights/departures before travelling to the airport. “Passengers whose flights have been cancelled or significantly delayed are advised not to come to the airport unless instructed to do so by their airline. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank passengers for their understanding and cooperation.” A flight to Edinburgh has already been cancelled from the airport today, while flights to Manchester, Bristol and Gatwick are delayed Most read in Travel It’s been six days of flight disruption in Sicily Credit: Getty Images Meanwhile, Catania Airport has been majorly affected by the eruption since last last Friday. Flights were expected to restart yesterday, but cancellations and delays have been extended until at least 6pm today. Information on its website reads: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and current wind conditions, Sector B3 has been closed. “Arrivals and departures are suspended until 6:00 PM. Operations to and from Comiso Airport are suspended until 10:00 AM due to volcanic ash. “Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. Further updates will follow in the coming hours.” Arrivals to the airport have been cancelled with some flights being rerouted to Palermo Airport on the northwest coast of Sicily. This includes on Ryanair flight from London Stansted which is scheduled to depart London at 10.30am today. Departures for this morning have been cancelled including two flights to London. easyJet flights from Catania Airport to London Gatwick scheduled for 11.45am and 12.25am have been cancelled. A later easyJet flight heading to London Gatwick remains on the schedule for departures at 6.55pm. A few departures are permitted to take-off at the airport, but only from runway 08. What does the disruption due to Mount Etna mean for passengers? Anton Radchenko, air passenger rights expert and founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, explained what the disruption means for customers… “When volcanic ash closes airspace, airlines will usually class it as an extraordinary circumstance, which means fixed cash compensation is unlikely. “However, I would urge passengers not to confuse ‘no compensation’ with ‘no rights’. “The airline must still offer a refund or rerouting and provide reasonable meals, accommodation and transport while passengers wait. “If you still need to get home, do not automatically accept a refund. “Once you accept it, the airline’s rerouting and care obligations will normally end. “Ask for the earliest reasonable alternative and, if another airline can get you back significantly sooner, ask to be transferred to that service. “If you have to pay for reasonable essentials because the airline fails to provide them, keep every itemised receipt so you can seek reimbursement.” This is supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s current cancellation guidance which you can find here. Comment now