Volcanic eruption at Mount Etna forces mass flight cancellations and detours for travelers

Julie Sagoskin, editor-in-chief of Park Magazine, spent more than a week touring Sicily before volcanic unrest at Mount Etna halted her return on August 10. Catania International Airport announced the cancellation of her flight amid chaotic conditions, part of a broader disruption that saw more than a third of the 1,974 scheduled flights between August 6 and August 12 canceled. While some travelers waited at a nearby hotel, Sagoskin opted for an 11-hour overnight train to Rome, a journey that included a ferry segment and periods without air conditioning.

She secured a flight from Rome the next day, arriving home on August 11, while fellow travelers pursued different paths, including routes through Palermo and additional overnight stays. The eruption’s ash was visible near the airport and even affected the hotel pool area, prompting temporary evacuations. Despite the challenges, Sagoskin described the experience as memorable and emphasized the need for flexibility when natural disasters strike.