Catania, Italy, 27 September, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Around 140 Brussels Airlines passengers remain caught up in a Mount Etna disruption after volcanic ash forced the cancellation of their Catania-to-Brussels flight and prompted authorities to suspend operations at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport.
The Brussels Airlines service had been scheduled to arrive at Brussels Airport in Zaventem at 21:15 on Saturday, 26 September. The cancellation followed renewed activity at Mount Etna and restrictions imposed on flights operating around eastern Sicily.
140 Brussels Airlines passengers await return
Brussels Airlines said the stranded group could return to Belgium on Sunday or Monday as the carrier reorganises services affected by the airport shutdown.
Brussels Airlines spokesperson Joëlle Neeb said the passengers were “not expected to return until Sunday or Monday”, according to Belgian reporting based on information from the airline.
The airline also cancelled its scheduled Sunday departure from Catania. Another Brussels Airlines service due to reach Brussels at 18:05 on Sunday was rerouted through Palermo. Passengers on diverted services have faced bus transfers between Palermo and Catania.
Catania Airport suspends flights after Etna ash
Catania Airport suspended incoming and outgoing flights until 12:00 local time on Sunday, 27 September, according to airport operator SAC. The restrictions were introduced because of volcanic activity and weather conditions.
SAC said in its announcement: “All incoming and outgoing flights at Catania Fontanarossa Airport have been suspended until 12 noon.”
Earlier on Saturday, airport capacity had been cut from the normal 12 landings per hour to four before the situation deteriorated. At least 10 flights were diverted — five to Palermo, three to Trapani and two to Comiso.
Etna ash plume triggers highest aviation alert
Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reported renewed activity at Etna’s North-East Crater, with the volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated altitude of around four kilometres. Authorities issued a red aviation warning, the highest alert level used for volcanic activity affecting aviation.
The Mount Etna disruption has affected carriers beyond Brussels Airlines. TUI also diverted a Catania service through Palermo, adding to the number of travellers whose journeys between Sicily and Belgium were altered.
Volcanic ash is treated as a serious aviation hazard because fine particles can damage aircraft engines and other critical systems, making temporary airspace restrictions necessary when ash moves across flight paths.
Palermo takes diverted Sicily flights
Palermo has become an important alternative airport during the latest closure. Brussels Airlines diverted its incoming service there, while passengers were expected to complete part of their journey across Sicily by road.
The disruption follows other Etna-related interruptions at Catania during 2026, underlining the operational challenges facing airlines serving eastern Sicily when volcanic activity sends ash towards the airport.
Catania flight restrictions remain under review
The announced suspension runs until noon on Sunday, but any return to normal operations depends on volcanic activity, weather conditions and aviation safety assessments.
Brussels Airlines is working to return the approximately 140 stranded travellers on Sunday or Monday. Passengers travelling through Catania should check their individual flight status with their airline before heading to the airport while the Mount Etna disruption continues.
