Catania, 27 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Around 140 Brussels Airlines passengers have been stranded in Sicily after volcanic ash from Mount Etna forced the cancellation of a Catania-to-Brussels flight. The Brussels Airlines disruption followed the suspension of arrivals and departures at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport as volcanic activity and severe weather affected operations on Saturday.
Around 140 Brussels Airlines passengers stranded in Sicily
The cancelled Brussels Airlines flight had been scheduled to arrive at Brussels Airport at 21:15 on Saturday, 26 September. Around 140 passengers were affected and were not expected to return to Belgium until Sunday or Monday, according to airline spokesperson Joëlle Neeb.
The disruption extended beyond the cancelled flight. A Brussels Airlines service leaving Brussels on Saturday was diverted to Palermo, where passengers were to continue to Catania by bus.
A Brussels-bound service scheduled to arrive at Zaventem at 18:05 on Sunday was also due to operate via Palermo, while the airline’s only scheduled departure from Catania on Sunday was cancelled. TUI also diverted a Catania service through Palermo.
Mount Etna ash cloud forces Catania Airport closure
The disruption intensified after Mount Etna’s North-East Crater emitted volcanic ash, producing an eruptive cloud about four kilometres high, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology.
A severe overnight thunderstorm added to the difficulties at the airport. Ten flights were initially diverted — five to Palermo, three to Trapani and two to Comiso — while landing capacity was reduced from the normal 12 aircraft an hour to four.
Authorities later closed the C1 and B3 airspace sectors and suspended all arrivals and departures until 12:00 on Sunday.
A red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation was in force for Etna, the highest alert on the four-level aviation colour scale.
Brussels Airlines gives update on stranded passengers
Brussels Airlines spokesperson Joëlle Neeb said the roughly 140 passengers were “not expected to return until Sunday or Monday”, as the carrier adjusted its operations around the airport restrictions.
The Brussels Airlines disruption remains dependent on conditions around Etna and the availability of alternative flights through other Sicilian airports.
Catania Airport operator SAC also issued direct advice to travellers as the restrictions were imposed, “inviting passengers to check the status of their flight with the airlines before going to the airport.”
Catania flights affected by repeated volcanic activity
The latest shutdown followed restrictions already imposed on Friday, 25 September. Catania Airport had been limited to 10 landings per hour rather than the normal 12 because an airspace sector above Etna had been closed following ash emissions.
Catania is one of Sicily’s principal international gateways, and its proximity to Mount Etna means volcanic ash can rapidly affect flight schedules when aviation authorities determine conditions pose a safety risk.
Passengers await revised flights to Brussels
The immediate priority for Brussels Airlines is returning affected passengers to Belgium while operating around restrictions at Catania.
The Brussels Airlines disruption has already resulted in cancellations, diversions to Palermo and onward bus transfers across Sicily. Further changes remain possible if volcanic ash continues to affect the airspace.
Passengers travelling through Catania are being advised to check their individual flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
