Passengers faced chaos as Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 is evacuated due to a security incident, while flights at Catania Airport are disrupted by Mount Etna’s eruption, leading to cancellations and delays.
Incident at Heathrow Airport Results in Terminal 2 Evacuation
On the morning of July 5, 2024, Heathrow Airport experienced a security incident in Terminal 2 that led to an evacuation and caused significant confusion among passengers. Videos posted by travelers on social media depicted crowds of people milling around and a large number of emergency service vehicles outside the terminal.
Heathrow Airport released a statement indicating that its security teams responded to the incident, which has since been resolved. The statement advised passengers to check with their respective airlines for further updates if they were flying from Terminal 2. It was noted that the rest of the airport continued to operate normally, and the airport apologized for any inconvenience caused to passengers.
During the incident, travelers reported a lack of clear communication from airport staff, leading to confusion and uncertainty. Social media posts highlighted the visible presence of police vans and officers with sniffer dogs searching the premises.
Mount Etna Eruption Disrupts Flights at Catania Airport
On the same day, passengers traveling through Catania Airport in Sicily faced significant delays and cancellations as a result of increased volcanic activity from Mount Etna. The eruption caused ash to reach an altitude of 2.7 miles, leading to partial airspace closures and a reduced arrivals rate at the airport. Approximately 15,000 passengers were impacted as at least 90 flights were canceled, including those operated by British Airways and easyJet to and from various UK destinations.
Ryanair also experienced a high number of cancellations, with many flights being diverted to Palermo Airport. The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia in Catania confirmed the heightened activity, and Italy’s Civil Protection Department advised the public to follow instructions from authorities closely.
The passengers affected by these cancellations were entitled to rebooking under European air passenger rights regulations. The situation followed a similar disruption a year prior when a fire damaged part of a terminal building at Catania Airport, causing further travel chaos.
