Mount Etna, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted this week, sending plumes of smoke and ash over 10 kilometers into the sky. The eruption led to a travel nightmare for tourists visiting Sicily, with widespread flight cancellations and delays.
The volcanic ash blanketed the runways at Catania Airport, Sicily’s busiest airport, forcing its temporary closure. Thousands of travelers were stranded as airlines like Ryanair, British Airways, and easyJet scrambled to adjust their schedules.
On Thursday, Catania Airport announced on social media that the runway was unusable due to the ash fallout, suspending both arrivals and departures. The airport initially estimated flight operations would resume by 6:00 PM, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
By Sunday morning, some flights, including an easyJet service to London, had successfully departed, indicating a return to normalcy. However, the situation remains fluid and travelers are advised to monitor their flight schedules closely.
The disruption at Catania was part of a broader pattern of travel issues across Europe last week. EasyJet cancelled 232 flights to and from Portugal due to a cabin crew strike, further compounding the difficulties faced by travelers. In Spain, severe storms led to the cancellation of over 300 flights at Majorca’s Palma Son Sant Joan Airport.
Fortunately, conditions have been improving across the region. Palma Airport announced on Friday that most delays had been reduced to under 30 minutes, a significant improvement from earlier in the week. Similarly, operations at Catania Airport are gradually stabilizing.
As Mount Etna continues its volcanic activity, the situation remains unpredictable. Authorities are closely monitoring the volcano, and travelers to the region should stay informed about potential disruptions. For those with plans to visit Sicily, the reopening of Catania Airport is a positive development, but caution and flexibility remain essential.
