After a volcanic eruption from Sicily’s Mount Etna closed airspace over the Italian island this weekend, causing disruption for thousands of air passengers, local airport Catania has re-opened.
On Thursday 4 July 2024, ash plumes from Europe’s highest volcano were reaching altitudes of 4.5 kilometres (2.7 miles), Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said. As a result, Catania, a city with 311,500 inhabitants, was covered with a thick layer of ash and flights from its airport were suspended.
#Messina, dal pomeriggio di #oggi si è intensificata l'attività eruttiva dello #Stromboli: potenziato il monitoraggio del #vulcano.
— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) July 4, 2024
Nella clip il sorvolo sull’isola dell’elicottero dei #vigilidelfuoco Drago 142#4luglio pic.twitter.com/Lw0nJYYtpd
90 flights cancelled
Catania usually welcomes millions of passengers every year, and the closure of Sicily’s second city’s hub caused chaos for an estimated 15,000 passengers at least. Around 90 flights were initially written off, with Ryanair the worst impacted at 42 cancellations. Other carriers affected include British Airways to and from London Gatwick and easyJet’s routes from Luton and Bristol.
Some airlines diverted to Sicily’s capital, Palermo. After crews cleared runways, a limited flight schedule eventually resumed at Catania by Friday evening, with just two flights arriving every hour, causing a lengthy knock-on effect. Arrivals eventually rose to five an hour, according to the Independent.
Incredible footage of a live performance at the ancient theatre of Taormina, with Mount Etna erupting in the background.
— Architecture & Tradition (@archi_tradition) July 5, 2024
🎥:@pioandreaperi pic.twitter.com/G5GkV64EaD
Operations normal but risk remains
At the time of writing, flight schedules appear to be operating normally, though the risk of further seismic activity could change that rapidly. Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and is in a near-constant state of eruption from its flanks as well as its summit.
Italian authorities have also raised the red alert for another volcano on the island of Stromboli, north of Sicily, where, according to Minister Nello Musumeci evacuation plans are in place and firefighter numbers have been doubled, as a precaution.
Flyers to and over the region are advised to check with their airline and airport to ensure their journey is not affected. In addition, Italy’s Civil Protection Department has issued a statement on volcano awareness and safety, insisting that visitors heed warnings.
“Italy, together with Iceland, has the greatest concentration of active volcanoes in Europe and is one of the first in the world for the number of inhabitants exposed to volcanic risk,” the alert said. “Active or potentially active volcanoes are situated in southern Italy with varying degrees of hazard.
“Follow the civil protection authorities’ instructions transmitted by radio, TV, in the daily press, on the internet and by the various toll-free numbers that will be set up.
“During eruptions, it is also important not heed the forbidden to enter signs at the areas involved by the eruption. It is dangerous to approach the crater area even if there is no eruptive activity as sudden explosive phenomena or gas emissions are always possible.”
