Etna eruption: disruptions at Catania airport
Volcanic activity at Mount Etna has once again created serious difficulties in Sicily. In the last few hours, the volcano has emitted a dense column of ash that reached a considerable height, making the air unbreathable and dangerous for air navigation in the skies above the city of Catania.
The management of Catania-Fontanarossa Airport has announced the immediate suspension of all arrivals. The decision was necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and crews, as volcanic ash can severely damage aircraft engines and drastically reduce visibility on the runways.
Many flights have been cancelled or diverted to other Sicilian airports, such as Palermo or Comiso, causing significant inconvenience to travelers. Airport authorities have advised passengers to check the status of their flight directly with their airlines before heading to the airport, in order to avoid unnecessary waiting.
The Civil Protection Department and experts from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) are constantly monitoring the evolution of the phenomenon. At the moment, it is not possible to determine with certainty when flight operations will be able to resume regularly, as everything depends on the wind direction and the intensity of the eruption.
The situation therefore remains in constant evolution. Local authorities recommend that the population residing in the areas near the volcano follow official instructions to protect themselves from the falling ash, which is currently covering roads, cars, and roofs in several municipalities around Etna.