Catania airport closed until Wednesday: Where else you can fly from, how to get there and refunds

Flights at Catania airport, on the southern Italian island of Sicily, are suspended until Wednesday.

A fire broke out at Catania's Vincenzo Bellini International Airport on Sunday night. Firefighters were called to put out the blaze and the airport was evacuated. 

Nobody was injured but there are reports of people being treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

The airports serves 91 destinations of which 24 are domestic, according to ItaliaRimborso.

It was initially announced that the airport would be closed until Monday morning. However this has now been revised.

Airport authorities have announced that flights are suspended until Wednesday at 2pm, with almost 120,000 passengers predicted to be affected.

Some incoming flights are being diverted to other airports in Sicily such as Palermo, Trapani and Comiso.

Comiso airport is a two-hour drive from Catania airport; both are on the east of the island. Whereas Palermo and Trapani are on the west of the island therefore four-five hours drive from Catania.

It is not yet clear whether passengers will receive compensation or help with unexpected costs.

Alibus has increased the frequency of its shuttle buses between Catania airport and the city centre. These will also stop at Catania's main train station.

Free trains and buses are being provided from Catania airport to the airports where flights are being diverted to, such as Palermo, Comiso and Trapani. 

Trenitalia has increased the frequency of trains between Catania and Palermo airports.

In short, yes.

On the east of the island, where Catania is, there are trains from Siracusa, a 1-hour drive from Catania, that take you to the Italian mainland.

There are also ferries from Palermo to Naples and Genova. Check GNV.it for more information on