Catania Airport Reopens After Mount Etna Alert

Catania airport in Sicily has reopened after a temporary closure caused by volcanic ash from Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes. Officials confirmed that flights are now able to depart and arrive again, saying the volcanic alert level had eased sufficiently to allow operations to resume safely.

Volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aviation, as fine particles can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility, which is why airports frequently suspend operations during periods of heightened eruptive activity. Italy's INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia), the country's national institute for geophysics and volcanology, told broadcaster Sky TG24 that there was no longer ash present in the atmosphere over the affected area, a key factor in the decision to reopen the airport.

Despite the resumption of flights, the situation on the ground remains far from settled. Reports indicate that, following a brief lull, Etna's eruptive activity has resumed, meaning further disruption to air traffic cannot be ruled out in the near future. Authorities are continuing to monitor the volcano closely, given its history of sudden changes in activity.

Separately, the airport closure has drawn attention to another ongoing issue: the presence of unlicensed transfer and taxi services operating in the Catania area. With scheduled transport disrupted during the shutdown, some illegal drivers reportedly took advantage of stranded passengers, charging record-high fares for transfers to and from the airport. The case has reignited public criticism over the apparent lack of enforcement against unauthorised operators at one of Sicily's busiest transport hubs.

While aviation authorities have prioritised restoring normal flight schedules, the twin issues of volcanic unpredictability and unregulated ground transport are likely to remain under scrutiny in the coming days. Passengers travelling to or from Catania have been urged to check flight status in advance, given the possibility of renewed disruption linked to Etna's ongoing activity.