EasyJet passengers heading to the Mediterranean are facing delays today (Friday) after an eruption of Mount Etna.
The Italian volcano has sent plumes of ash and smoke thousands of feet into the air resulting in a partial closure of airspace over Catania in Sicily.
It means that passengers heading to the island from Manchester, Luton and Bristol airports are facing delays of more than an hour, The Mirror reports.
EasyJet says it is working to minimise delays, which its says are due to an "extraordinary circumstance".
The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said the situation is stable but they continue to monitor the eruptions.
Eurocontrol in Brussels said: “An eruption of volcano Etna has started. The height of the plume at the moment is up to FL140 [14,000 feet] and seems to be composed mainly by steam.
"Code is red.
“Aircraft operators are strongly recommended to closely monitor all relevant Notams (notices to air men).”
EasyJet released a short statement to passengers affected, which reads: "Your plane was delayed on an earlier flight it operated due to air traffic control restrictions caused by activity to Mount Etna.
“We’re working to minimise this delay where possible. The disruption is beyond our control and is considered an extraordinary circumstance.”
In Toulouse, France, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre said: “Some ash emission ongoing. Ash remains in the vicinity of the volcano below 15,000 feet.”
