A VOLCANIC eruption has grounded flights and disrupted travel plans for UK holidaymakers and airlines.
Mount Etna erupted late Sunday night, forcing Catania Airport in Sicily to suspend all flights until at least 2pm on Monday due to volcanic ash in the airspace.
The airport said: "Following the volcanic activity that occurred during the night between Sunday, July 5th and Monday, July 6th, all incoming flight operations remain suspended and departures are fully blocked, currently until 2:00 PM.
"Passengers are kindly requested not to travel to the airport unless they have first checked the status of their flight with their airline.
"Further updates will follow."
Flights from Palermo, Sicily’s other major airport, remain unaffected.
Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano and stands at 3300 metres.
The airport closest to the volcano, Catania, is often impacted during eruptions, though past events have affected other airports on the island, including Trapani-Birgi and Comiso.
Italy’s Civil Protection Department has set the current alert level for Etna at yellow, the second-lowest of four levels.
