Catania, Aug 15 (V7N) – Catania airport in Sicily reopened on Saturday after suspending flights for a week due to a volcanic eruption at nearby Mount Etna that spewed ash into the sky, disrupting travel plans for thousands of holidaymakers.
The airport announced on its website that flights had resumed at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) following "the downgrade of the volcanic activity alert status from red to orange." The airport had begun a series of closures on August 8 that were extended day by day.
The suspension of flights disrupted plans for thousands of holidaymakers and raised questions about the future of the airport, which services the eastern part of Sicily, one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations.
The eruption also drew crowds of visitors to Mount Etna, where spectacular lava flows could be observed close up. At 3,324 metres (nearly 11,000 feet), Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe and erupts frequently.
Around 12 million passengers transited through Catania International Airport in 2024, according to official figures. Authorities continue to monitor volcanic activity closely as operations gradually return to normal.
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