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© Piero Bertino
Travel to and from the Italian island of Sicily is currently disrupted due to a volcanic eruption.

Catania international airport has delayed flights due to an eruption from Mount Etna billowing smoke into the air. The smoke affects visibility for pilots.

Nearby towns have also been covered in black volcanic ash after the Voragine crater began erupting last night.

Arrivals are currently limited to six per hour at Catania, which is on the east coast of Sicily and at the foot of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano.



Some departures are also delayed. During previous eruptions, flights have been diverted to other airports on the island, such as Palermo and Comiso, but it is not clear if that will be the plan today.

Catania airport: What is the advice to passengers?

The airport's management has advised passengers to contact their airlines for information on their flights.

You can check airline's apps or websites for the most up to date information, as well as their social media channels. Also keep an eye on the email with which you made the booking as your airline or booking platform may contact you to advise you of changes.

Although no official numbers have been issued, the airport's arrival boards show delays of 30 minutes to one hour for some flights.

Most departures have taken off on time so far this morning, however there could a knock-on effect if runways get clogged up.

Catania is Sicily's most popular airport with international tourists, with the island at the height of the summer season.