Mount Etna began to violently erupt yesterday, sending a cloud of ash and rocks into the sky.
Airports in Sicily have been forced to cancel flights, with a red NOVA alert limiting the amount of landings that are allowed.
Here are the latest updates on how the eruption is affecting air space and travel around Italy.
4.50pm update: Catania airport has seen 10 arrivals and six departures delayed in the past hour, however most flights are now scheduled to land and depart on time.
The orange VONA warning remains in place.
2pm update: Comiso Airport has now reopened after it was closed temporarily this morning due to an ash cloud.
Airspace in eastern Sicily will be completely reopen from 2pm, with arrivals at Catania back to normal.
1.15pm update: The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (NOVA) has been dropped to an orange alert.
Catania’s five landings limit appears to have been lifted, with 12 arrivals listed for the past hour.
Most flights are operating on time, although Ryanair arrivals 2537 (Malta) and 3151 (Bucharest) have been delayed.
11.50am update: Frank Brehany, consumer director at HolidayTravelWatch, had said that those intending to travel to Italy should consult the latest FCO advisories and the Italian government’s civil defence website, which explains the current level of alert (protezionecivile.gov.it).
He explained: “These are the warnings that the Italian government will give to local people, local mayors, shipping and airline companies.
“In an evolving situation holidaymakers should bookmark the website to their phones to keep up to date.
“If you find yourself in a difficult situation because of the volcano, dial 112 for the European emergency services which is a multilingual service.”
Mr Brehany added that holidaymakers should also consult their travel insurer and travel provider.
He said: “If travel insurers say that they are not going to provide cover, then holidaymakers need to have a very quick conversation with their travel provider.”
Some providers – in particular tour operators – require that holidaymakers have insurance in place before travelling.
Mr Brehany also offered an insight into why airports are sometimes forced to close during volcanic eruptions.
“The Icelandic volcano eruptions [of 2010] caused not so much ground based problems, but high atmospheric conditions which blocked aircraft travelling across the Atlantic.
“Here I would suggest that local weather conditions could make it difficult for aircraft operating at a low to medium height.”
11am update: Catania airport’s crisis unit has made the decision to close a portion of airspace until 1pm today due to a significant amount of ash.
Because of this, the nearby Comiso airport has been forced to close until 2pm.
Catania airport remains under a red aviation alert, which limits landings to five per hour. Catania has said that it is monitoring the situation and will review the alert at 4pm.
The travel agent organisation ABTA has told Express.co.uk that holidaymakers near Mount Etna should take care and follow any local advice.
A spokesperson said: “Following an explosion at Mount Etna yesterday, ABTA advises holidaymakers in the region to take care if they are near the active volcano and follow any local advice.
“Mount Etna is a live volcano and it is not unusual for it to erupt, however, incidents involving tourists are extremely rare.
“The best way to visit is with a qualified guide who will have up to date activity on the volcano’s activity from the Italian authorities and will know the safe areas to visit.
“The Italian Civil Protection website has more details about volcanoes in Italy. Holidaymakers should always check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice before they travel.”
MOUNT ETNA ERUPTS LIVE
ESA
Satellite image of Etna’s eruption
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised: “Mount Etna has been erupting with increasing frequency. Take care if you’re near any active volcano and follow local advice.”
Planes are currently departing and arriving Catania airport as normal with Flightstats.com reporting a very low number of delays.
Flights from Ryanair, EasyJet, British Airways and other airlines are all landing on time.
Sicily’s other airports Falcone-Borsellino and Trapani-Birgi are also running as normal.
Across the rest of Europe, all major airports are operating as usual with the exception of Helsinki, which is suffering cancellations and delays because of a strike.
REUTERS
The eruption sent lava and ash flying into the air
Ten people were injured when Etna erupted yesterday, with a BBC crew among those present at the volcano.
BBC science correspondent Rebecca Morelle said: “Running down a mountain pelted by rocks, dodging burning boulders and boiling steam – not an experience I ever ever want to repeat.
“BBC team all ok – some cuts/ bruises and burns. Very shaken though – it was extremely scary.”
Lava and ash continue to spew out of the volcano this morning, although reports say that the eruption is weakening.
Etna is Europe’s largest and most active volcano, with the last major eruption coming two years ago.
In February 2012 intense volcanic activity caused Catania airport to close intermittently.
This week’s burst was a phreatomagmatic eruption – caused when magma hits water or snow.
