Ryanair issues warning to passengers as Italian airport closes due to volcanic eruption

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Holidaymakers heading to Sicily this week have been warned of ‘cancellations and delays’ due to the eruption of Mount Etna. The volcano - one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes - erupted on the Italian island on Sunday night.

Catania Airport announced on Twitter that flights would be suspended until Monday evening. In a statement the airport said: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and fallout of volcanic ash, flight operations are suspended until 8:00 pm.” The airport is around 50km south of the volcano and it previously had to suspend flights in May due to an eruption.

Mount Etna erupted lava and ash on Sunday night, spreading ash over the eastern side of the island. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. Ryanair has issued a warning to passengers that flights could be ‘delayed, diverted or cancelled’.

In a statement on its website, the airline said: “Due to the eruption of Mount Etna, we would like to advise all passengers travelling to and from Catania on Monday the 14th of August of possible delays, diversions, or cancellations to flights. “Affected passengers will be notified as soon as possible.