Sunday, August 18, 2024 Mount Etna Eruption Disrupts Travel as Sicily’s Major Airport Reopens Tourists faced significant disruptions this week as volcanic activity at Sicily’s Mount Etna led to widespread flight cancellations and delays. Catania Airport, the island’s busiest, was forced to shut down temporarily, leaving thousands stranded. However, the airport is now resuming operations.
The eruption of Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, sent towering plumes of smoke and ash over 10 kilometers into the sky earlier this week, causing a travel nightmare for tourists. The ash blanketed the runways at Catania Airport, leading to the cancellation of numerous flights as airlines like Ryanair, British Airways, and easyJet scrambled to adjust their schedules. Catania Airport, which handles a significant amount of international traffic, faced a particularly challenging situation.
The airport took to social media on Thursday to update travelers, stating, “The runway at #CTAairport is unusable due to volcanic ash fallout: both arrivals and departures are suspended.” The airport initially estimated that flight operations would resume by 6:00 PM, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. By Sunday morning, some flights, including an easyJet service to London, had successfully departed, signaling the beginning of a return to normalcy.
This came as a relief to many travelers who had been caught up in the chaos, although the situation remains fluid. The disruption at Catania was part of a broader pattern of travel issues across Europe last week. EasyJet had to cancel 232 flights to and from Portugal due to a cabin crew strike, further compounding the difficulties faced by travelers.
In Spain, severe storms led to the cancellation of over 300 flights at Majorca’s Palma Son Sant Joan Airport, stranding many on the popular holiday island. Fortunately, conditions have been improving across the region. Palma Airport announced on Friday that most delays had been reduced to under 30 minutes, a significant improvement from earlier in the week.
Similarly, operations at Catania Airport are gradually stabilizing, though travelers are still advised to monitor their flight schedules closely. As Mount Etna continues its volcanic activity, the situation remains unpredictable. Authorities are closely monitoring the volcano, and travelers to the region should stay informed about potential disruptions.
For those with plans to visit Sicily, the reopening of Catania Airport is a positive development, but caution and flexibility remain essential...
