Julie Sagoskin, editor‑in‑chief of Park Magazine in New York City, arrived in Sicily on August 1 via Catania International Airport and spent more than a week touring the island. When she attempted to depart on August 10, her flight from Catania was canceled amid ongoing volcanic activity from Mount Etna.

Airport chaos and flight cancellations

According to Sagoskin, a notice at the airport announced the cancellation, and a fellow traveler described the scene as “total chaos.” The disruption was not isolated; Reuters reported that between August 6 and August 12, more than one‑third of the 1,974 scheduled flights at Catania were canceled, affecting thousands of travelers during the busy summer season.

Alternative travel plans

Faced with uncertainty, Sagoskin and her group gathered at a nearby hotel to consider options. While some members waited for flights to resume, Sagoskin chose to travel to Rome, hoping for more flight availability. She booked an approximately 11‑hour overnight train from Catania to Rome, a journey that included a ferry crossing and periods without air conditioning.

After arriving in Rome, she secured a flight the following day, August 11, and returned to New York. Other members of her party pursued different routes, including travel through Palermo, additional overnight stays, and dealing with lost luggage.

Impact of the eruption

Mount Etna’s activity was visible throughout the ordeal, with ash observed near the airport hotel’s pool area, prompting temporary evacuations. Despite the challenges, Sagoskin said the experience did not diminish her overall enjoyment of Sicily. She described the trip as “memorable” and emphasized the importance of staying flexible and prepared for unexpected events while traveling.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.