The airport in Catania, Sicily, has remained closed due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna, preventing all takeoffs and landings. According to the airport operator, the facility will remain shut until at least 2:00 AM tomorrow. Whether flights can resume afterward remains uncertain. The recent eruption of Europe’s most active volcano has disrupted air traffic on Sicily for several days, leading to hundreds of canceled, delayed, or rerouted flights. The closure in Catania was extended multiple times over the past few days. Earlier today, the airport operator announced that the airport would stay closed until 4:00 PM. However, this deadline was pushed back again. Authorities reported that up to Tuesday, approximately 700 flights had been affected, with around 450 completely canceled and another 250 diverted to other airports on the island, such as the smaller airport in Comiso near Ragusa or the main airport in Palermo in northern Sicily. This situation led to chaotic conditions at some locations. The airport operator stated that part of the airspace above Catania had been restricted due to the release of volcanic ash. As a result, the number of possible arrivals was limited, with only ten planes allowed to land per hour until Tuesday noon. There were no restrictions on departures. Passengers were advised to check with their respective airlines for flight status updates. The situation had eased slightly over the weekend after the volcanic alert level was downgraded. Before that, air travel had been significantly restricted for more than a week following eruptions that repeatedly released volcanic ash, causing major disruptions. Thousands of holidaymakers have been affected by flight cancellations or diversions. On Saturday, the volcanic warning level was finally lowered, allowing flights to return to normal operations. However, renewed ash emissions following the recent calm have once again caused limitations. According to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV), the aviation warning level (VONA) remained at orange. Concern exists that the airport could close again. Lava flows were emitted from openings at heights of 2,750 meters and 1,990 meters above sea level. The farthest-reaching lava flows reached a height of 1,395 meters. Between 9:40 AM and 12:40 PM, a series of brief explosions occurred at the northeast crater, generating an ash cloud that spread within the summit area toward the southeast. Seismic activity increased significantly. Since late Saturday evening, the average amplitude of the volcanic tremor fluctuated initially between low and moderate levels. Throughout the day, it gradually increased and reached high values around 6:00 PM. Since the beginning of the eruption more than a week ago, hundreds of flights have been canceled, delayed, or rerouted. According to the operator, between August 6 and 12, about 36 percent of scheduled flights to Catania were canceled. The airport operator, SAC, described the impact on airport infrastructure as the worst in the last 20 years. On Sunday, air traffic at the island's largest airport proceeded normally. Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, with regular eruptions occurring. What made this particular eruption particularly problematic for air travel was the prolonged emission of ash. Compounding the issue were consistent winds blowing southward, carrying the ash directly over the airport. The ongoing volcanic activity continues to pose challenges for local authorities and airport operators managing the disruptions to air traffic. The airport operator has been working closely with aviation authorities to monitor the situation and determine when it might be safe to reopen the airport. Meanwhile, passengers are being urged to stay informed through their airline channels regarding potential changes to their travel plans. The extent of the disruption highlights the vulnerability of regional air traffic to natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions. Local officials have expressed concern over the continued impact on tourism and the broader economy of Sicily, which relies heavily on air connectivity. They are monitoring the situation closely and preparing contingency plans should further closures become necessary. The volcanic activity shows no immediate signs of subsiding, prompting ongoing assessments of its effects on both the environment and human activities in the region.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Austria
