Catania Airport Company, the company that manages Catania-Fontanarossa airport in Sicily, has indicated that the effect of the recent eruptions of Etna on airport facilities is the most severe in the last 20 years, having caused more than 1,000 cancellations and leaving about 100,000 passengers affected in just one week of disruptions.
The closure of operations at the aerodrome has been extended again and no departures or landings are expected at least until 02:00 on Saturday. Meanwhile, users are urged not to travel to the airport without first checking with their airline the updated status of their flight.
Aerial operations are subject to the evolution of volcanic activity, as well as the direction of the winds and the level of ash in the atmosphere. For this reason, numerous flights are being redirected to other airports on the island, including Palermo, Trapani, and Comiso.
These disruptions to air traffic would have a significant economic impact on tourism, with potentially lost spending between 13 million and 24 million euros, according to preliminary calculations by the employers' association Assoesercenti.
Regarding the reaction of the airlines, Ryanair, the main operator in Catania, warns on its website that travelers should prepare to face significant delays, cancellations, and diversions. Meanwhile, easyJet has reported that it has canceled its only round trip flight between Catania and London-Gatwick scheduled for yesterday Thursday. In the case of Wizz Air, the airline has explained that it has been working to divert its aircraft.
According to data from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) of Italy, dense lava flows from two vents located at 2,360 and 2,750 meters altitude. Since then, two new lava flows have formed.
Etna, at over 3,300 meters altitude, erupts periodically and remains under continuous observation by scientific authorities.