Catania Airport faces disruption after Mt Etna eruption

SAC, the company which manages Catania International Airport in Italy, have announced that that the Crisis Unit has ordered the total and complete reopening of the airport starting from 20:00 local time last night, after the eruption of Mount Etna. In close collaboration with the airlines and all the actors involved in the airport operations, SAC is confident in the restoration of all services and regular air connections as soon as possible.

Reduced volcanic activity meant that departures were resumed from 6 p.m. (1600 GMT), with some arrivals to be allowed two hours later and the airport due to be fully operational by 10 p.m., the airport operator said on X.

In recent days, Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes has been particularly volatile, spewing ash and lava. 

The airport has already been closed for a period earlier this month, due to ash in the sky. It acts as a hub for the rest of Sicily, attracting more arrivals than Palermo.

SAC, the operator, warned of diversions and rerouting due to the incident.