Etna eruption largely paralyzes Catania airport

Airspace restrictions

According to airport operator SAC, the airspace in a specific area affected by the southward-drifting ash cloud was initially closed until 7:00 p.m. local time. The closure initially applies until 7:00 p.m. local time. During the course of the day, the airport operator announced that information about any further restrictions would be provided.

Until approximately 9:00 p.m., only five flights per hour will be permitted to land at the airport. The number of arriving flights is therefore also sharply reduced. "Betroffen sind sowohl die Abflüge als auch die Landungen", SAC stated. All departures from Catania airport were canceled until 6:00 p.m.

Impact on air traffic

For individual connections, a decision on how to proceed was initially awaited from the respective airline. Several flights were canceled, including a connection to Berlin. Other aircraft were able to take off with delays, while still others were diverted to Palermo. Passengers were asked to travel to the airport only after consulting with their airline and to check the status of their flight.

According to current weather forecasts, the ash will continue to be carried southward in the coming hours, the INGV further reported. Meteorological forecast models also indicate that the ash will continue to spread southward in the coming hours. The burden on the airspace over the region is therefore expected to persist beyond the afternoon.

The restrictions affect not only civil flights. The military airfields NAS Sigonella and Sigonella Air Base are also impacted by the closures. The effects of the volcanic eruption thus extend beyond civil air traffic.

Mount Etna: Europe's largest active volcano

Mount Etna is Europe's largest active volcano and reaches a height of approximately 3,350 meters. Its exact height changes repeatedly due to eruptions and the formation of cinder cones. The eruptions attract many tourists, and the volcano is constantly monitored by experts. Eruptions occur at Mount Etna several times a year.

The authorities and the airport operator are in close contact due to the ongoing monitoring of the volcano. Airport operator SAC published the airspace closure and announced that information about any further restrictions would be provided during the course of the day. Travelers must prepare for further delays and cancellations.

Information for travelers

The events at Mount Etna are part of a long-term pattern of recurring activity. Experts emphasize that the volcano is continuously monitored in order to protect the population and air traffic. The current measures follow the usual procedures for ash releases, during which takeoffs and landings are suspended or restricted for safety reasons.

For travelers planning to fly via Catania in the coming days, the closure means considerable uncertainty. Airlines are currently assessing the situation and coordinating with the authorities. It can be expected that flight operations will resume only gradually, even after the initially announced closure times have ended.

The eruptive activity at Mount Etna highlights the vulnerability of Sicilian air traffic to natural events. Because the volcano is located on the island and the prevailing wind direction carries the ash southward, Catania airport is particularly frequently affected by closures. Comparable incidents have repeatedly led to similar restrictions in the past.

Outlook and further developments

The authorities recommend that travelers regularly check the latest information from airlines and the airport. The notice to check the flight status before traveling to the airport has also been issued repeatedly by SAC and the involved parties. This is intended to prevent passengers from arriving at the airport in vain.

The exact effects on the flight schedule on Tuesday and the following days are currently still unclear. SAC announced that information about any further restrictions would be provided during the course of the day. The situation therefore remains dynamic, and travelers are advised to keep themselves informed on an ongoing basis.