Catania Airport resumes flights after Mount Etna eruption

Catania Airport is gradually returning to normal operations after volcanic activity from Mount Etna led to a temporary suspension of flights. The airport received approval from relevant authorities to resume flight activities at 2 PM, signaling a positive step forward.

Anna Quattrone, president of the airport management company SAC, expressed optimism about the resumption of services. She acknowledged that Mount Etna's unpredictable nature, along with wind conditions, could necessitate future closures. However, she emphasized that the authorities' decision to allow flights to restart indicates confidence in the current safety conditions, prioritizing passenger and airline staff security.

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From 2 PM we had the go-ahead from the competent authorities to resume flight activities. This is clearly good news, aware that obviously Etna, at any moment, or the winds, even worse, can lead to a closure but we are optimistic because we think that this 'go-ahead' from the competent authorities, always absolutely attentive to give absolute priority to the safety of passengers and airline personnel, means that we are in a position to restart.

Quattrone noted that a complete return to normalcy would take several more hours. The tarmac, currently empty, needs to be replenished with aircraft that are en route to Catania before full operations can resume. Travelers at the Bellini Airport expressed cautious optimism as they awaited their flights, with a mix of Italian and international tourists present at airline counters.

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For a return to normality, we still have to consider a few more hours. Our 'tarmac' is empty, we have to wait, having restored the possibilities to land, for the aircraft that are coming to Catania to then depart for their destinations.