Fire forces closure of Sicilian airport

Catania airport has been shut for at least two days with flights suspended following a fire in the terminal.

The Foreign Office confirmed in updated travel advice that Sicily’s main airport will be closed until 2pm on July 19.

Travellers due to fly to and from Cantania are being advised to should contact their travel operator for details of cancelled or diverted flights.

Flights at the Sicilian airport have been suspended until at least lunchtime on Wednesday.

The blue broke out late on Sunday and there were no injuries, the airport said. 

Firefighters said they managed to contain the fire after about 90 minutes.  

No details on possible causes or any link to current high temperatures in the region were disclosed.

Catania was among several Italian cities that imposed a hot weather red alert yesterday, along with the Sicilian capital of Palermo and the island’s third largest city of Messina, as the country braced for record high temperatures this week.

Ryanair said: “The closure of Catania airport is a result of a fire that occurred in the terminal on Sunday 16th July. The airport is currently closed until 14:00 local on Wednesday 19th July.

“All passengers who have been affected by a cancellation or an airport change will be notified of their options.”