Persistent ash from Mount Etna has shuttered Sicily’s largest airport, Catania, for a fifth consecutive day, stranding hundreds of travelers during the peak Ferragosto holiday week.
The airport is expected to remain closed until early Saturday. Researcher Boris Behncke from the Etna Observatory noted that while the volcano often interrupts flights, this emergency is the longest since 2002 due to unusually sustained emissions reaching Malta and North Africa. Behncke warned that volcanic ash poses a severe risk of stalling aircraft motors.
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From August 6-12, airport operator SAC reported that 36% of nearly 2,000 scheduled arrivals were canceled, with over 600 flights diverted to Palermo, Trapani, Comiso, and Lamezia Terme. To ease pressure, Trenitalia added six trains on the Palermo-Messina-Catania route.
The disruptions have sparked price-gouging complaints regarding taxis and car rentals, prompting the Codacons consumer association to file a formal complaint. Meanwhile, the federation of travel agencies (FIAVET) has called for a task force to coordinate responses, with President Gian Mario Pilieri urging a review of airline management and passenger assistance.