Catania Airport Shut for Another Day as Etna Erupts
Catania airport extends flight suspension due to continued Mount Etna volcanic activity, stranding hundreds of passengers.
Catania airport in Sicily has extended its suspension of all flights for another day, as Mount Etna's intense volcanic activity continues. The airport authority announced the further extension on Friday, citing the ongoing eruption of Europe's largest active volcano.
Hundreds of passengers remain stranded at the airport, desperately seeking alternative routes to reach their destinations. Airport screens displayed the message "Severe volcanic activity - all operations suspended" in both Italian and English, with all departures listed as canceled.
Civil protection volunteers were seen assisting confused passengers in the terminal, while airport staff worked to manage the growing queues at check-in counters.
The disruption began on August 8, when fresh eruptions sent large amounts of smoke and volcanic ash into the air. The nearby Comiso airport, located about 90 kilometers south of Catania and 130 kilometers from Etna, has also been closed due to the thick layer of ash that has fallen on the ground.