Mount Etna Ash Eruption Closes Sicily's Catania Airport

Persistent ash emissions from Mount Etna have forced the closure of Sicily's largest airport in Catania during the peak summer holiday week.

Key points

• Catania’s airport is scheduled to remain closed until Saturday afternoon, coinciding with the Ferragosto holiday.
• The ongoing disruption is the longest emergency for the airport since 2002, with flights rerouted to other Sicilian airports and Calabria.
• Consumer association Codacons plans to file a complaint regarding price gouging on taxi fares and car rentals following flight reroutings.
• Trenitalia added six trains along the Palermo-Messina-Catania route to assist stranded travellers.

Why it matters

The prolonged closure of Sicily's primary airport during peak holiday season has stranded hundreds of travellers, spurred travel complaints over price gouging, and strained regional transport networks.