If Italy is on your itinerary this week, check your flight status before heading to the airport. Catania Airport in Sicily suspended all operations on Sunday, September 27, after volcanic ash from Mount Etna spread into the atmosphere, with flydubai confirming that its Dubai-Catania route was among the services affected.
Catania Airport Suspends Flights After Mount Etna Ash Cloud, Flydubai Route Affected
The airport operator said flights would remain suspended until 11:59pm local time on Sunday, with further updates to follow. Travellers flying between Dubai and Catania should check their flight status directly before setting off.
What’s Cancelled
Societa Aeroporto Catania (SAC), which operates Catania Airport, announced that flight operations would be suspended until 11:59pm local time on September 27.
flydubai confirmed that both directions of its Dubai-Catania service were cancelled:
- FZ1501: Dubai (DXB) to Catania (CTA)
- FZ1502: Catania (CTA) to Dubai (DXB)
The airline has advised affected passengers to check their flight status and look out for SMS or email updates. Travellers should also note that check-in counters generally close 60 minutes before scheduled departure unless the airline provides different instructions.
Why Mount Etna Can Disrupt Flights
Mount Etna is Europe’s highest volcano and one of its most active. And being in close distance to Catania means volcanic activitiy’s direct impact on operations at the nearby airport.
Volcanic ash can affect engines and other aircraft systems in a hazardous way. As a result, airports may suspend operations when ash clouds create unsafe flying conditions.
Also Read: flydubai & Air India Enter Into An Interline Partnership And Here’s What Travellers Can Expect
What UAE Travellers Should Do
Anyone travelling between the UAE and Sicily should treat the situation as an ongoing disruption rather than assuming flights will automatically resume once the initial suspension period ends.
Check directly with flydubai or Catania Airport before leaving for the airport, particularly if you have a flight scheduled after the initial suspension period. Keep an eye on airline emails and SMS notifications as operational decisions can change depending on volcanic activity and ash conditions.
This is also not the first time volcanic ash has affected UAE-linked flights this year, with Emirates and Etihad having adjusted operations during separate volcanic ash disruptions.
For now, travellers heading to or from Catania should check their flight status before travelling and wait for the latest update from their airline or the airport.
Cover Image Courtesy: flyDubai/Website
FAQs
Which flydubai flights have been cancelled due to Mount Etna?
Both FZ1501 (Dubai to Catania) and FZ1502 (Catania to Dubai) have been cancelled.
When will Catania Airport reopen?
Operations were suspended until 11:59pm local time on Sunday, September 27, with further updates expected from the airport operator.
What should passengers flying to Catania do?
Check flight status directly with flydubai or Catania Airport before travelling, as schedules may shift depending on ongoing volcanic activity.
