Mount Etna eruption paralyzes flights at Catania airport in Sicily

Mount Etna has become active again on the Italian island of Sicily, and the resulting ash emissions have completely paralyzed operations at Catania-Fontanarossa airport. The airport operator decided to close the airspace due to intense ash emissions and unfavorable wind direction, canceling all incoming and outgoing flights.

Restrictions were initially expected to last only until Sunday noon, but were later extended until midnight on September 27. Airport management has urged passengers to check their flight status with the relevant airline before heading to the airport.

Disruption across the island

The problems have not been limited to Catania — many flights were diverted to the airports of Comiso, Palermo and Trapani, adding extra strain and congestion to air traffic across all of Sicily. Thousands of passengers have been affected by the disruption.

The situation has also triggered an unexpected side effect in the ticket market — a sharp rise in prices for some flights. The organization Acli Terra reported unusually steep price increases for flights to and from Sicily, citing a flight from Verona to Palermo where a ticket reportedly cost around 1,180 euros. The organization has called on authorities to monitor price changes so that the natural emergency does not turn into an additional financial burden for travelers.

Transport sector trade unions have described the situation as "complete chaos," criticizing the lack of a clear action plan. They point out that Etna's eruptions and the resulting flight disruptions in Sicily can no longer be considered unpredictable events, and argue that a permanent plan is needed to organize air traffic and passenger services in such situations.