Mount Etna’s latest eruptive phase continued through the night of 16–17 July, forcing Catania’s Vincenzo Bellini Airport (CTA) to keep its runways closed until at least noon on Friday. According to airport operator SAC, 129 flights were cancelled and 61 diverted to Palermo, Trapani and Comiso in the previous 48 hours, disrupting holiday traffic and cargo flows to eastern Sicily. The most recent Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) remains at RED, citing strong strombolian activity and an ash plume rising 1.5 km above the summit. CTA handles more than 10 million passengers a year and is a key entry point for cruise-ship crews and advance maintenance teams supporting Sicily’s energy projects. Ground-handling companies scrambled to reposition staff and equipment to alternate airports, while logistics providers warned of backlogs for perishables such as cut flowers and fresh fish destined for northern European markets. Travellers holding tickets on ITA Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air were offered rebooking or refund options, but business-class seats on alternative routes via Palermo sold out within hours. Car-rental agencies reported shortages as stranded passengers sought one-way rentals to reach mainland ports. Companies with assignees in Sicily are advising staff to re-confirm meetings or switch to virtual formats until flight operations normalise. Local authorities stress that air quality in Catania city remains within safe limits, but drivers are urged to reduce speed because ash accumulation makes roads slippery. The eruption, which began on 26 June, has already deposited up to 3 cm of ash in some suburbs, triggering compulsory clean-up orders for municipalities. For global-mobility coordinators the key takeaway is contingency planning: ensure travellers have multi-modal backup options (ferry, train, road) and that talent mobility policies cover additional accommodation costs when natural events cause extended delays. Employers should also remind staff that volcanic ash can void standard car-rental insurance unless an extra waiver is purchased on collection.
Source: La Sicilia
