The emergency related to the activity of theEtna does not stop and continues to weigh on the air traffic in Sicily. The Catania Fontanarossa Airport will remain closed at least until 15pm on Saturday 15 AugustAugust 15th, due to volcanic ash continuing to affect the airport. Comiso Airport, however, reopened after a temporary suspension of operations.
Catania Airport closed, further disruption for passengers
SAC, the company that manages Catania Airport, has announced the extension of the suspension of arrivals and departures until 3:00 PM on August 15. The decision is due to Mount Etna's eruptive activity and the presence of volcanic ash in the atmosphere and on the runway.
The situation remains difficult, also because winds continue to push ash downstream. Therefore, it is currently difficult to predict when the airport will be able to return to full operation. According to available information, a possible improvement conditions could arrive from August 17th.
This is the seventh consecutive day of disruption for travelers. Catania Airport currently handles approximately 40 passengers per day, and many flights have been rescheduled or diverted to other airports, including Palermo, Comiso, Trapani, and Lamezia Terme.
Catania Airport, cancelled and diverted flights: emergency numbers
The Sac has defined the current one as an emergency of scope exceptional, among the most serious in the last twenty years due to the impact on the airport infrastructure. Between August 6 and 12, approximately 630 flights destined for Catania were diverted to other airports. Of the 1.974 scheduled connections, approximately 36% were canceled. Furthermore, hundreds of passengers remain at the airport waiting to be transferred to other destinations.
Comiso, which had suspended operations for several hours due to ash, resumed operations at 6:00 PM on August 14. Palermo is also helping manage the emergency with rescheduled flights.
The disruptions also affected land connections. The strong demand for transfers to other airports caused incidents of speculation: as reported by Sky TG24, some illegal drivers are said to have asked for up to 700 euros for a trip from Catania to Palermo. Meanwhile, a first count of the damage: “It could be approximately between 12,8 and 24 million euros” according to Assoesrcenti.
Etna, new rules for approaching lava
Meanwhile, Etna's activity continues. The INGV has reported continued effusive activity from the eruptive vent at 1.900 meters and explosive activity from the Voragine crater, with ash emissions dispersed toward the southern quadrant.
The situation has also led to a hold on access to the areas affected by the mudslide. An ordinance came into force on August 14th. prohibits approaching within 200 meters of the lava frontThe measure comes after several tourists had ventured close to the lava in recent days, even to take photographs and selfies. The volcano's activity remains difficult to predict, and, as experts emphasize, it's impossible to determine with certainty when it will end.
The Etna emergency continues to have consequences not only on the local area, but also on the mobility of thousands of people, precisely during the busiest days of the August holidays.
