SAC, the operator of Catania–Fontanarossa, confirmed late on 18 July that Terminal A will stay shuttered for at least another five days while investigators verify structural safety in an area affected by June’s roof-fire debris. Although the Prosecutor’s Office said the limited seizure order technically allows reopening, airport management cited unresolved compliance works and staffing shortages.citeturn9search7 The prolonged closure leaves only Terminals B and C processing passengers, slashing capacity by roughly 30 %. Airlines had already cut schedules after Etna’s ash disruptions; the terminal shutdown is forcing further consolidation of check-in desks and longer queues. Business class and fast-track lanes are suspended, affecting time-sensitive corporate itineraries. Ground handlers estimate it will take 48 hours to rebalance equipment once clearance is granted. Travel-management companies (TMCs) are rerouting VIP clients via Malta or Palermo to maintain connection reliability. Logistic firms moving high-value electronics warn of increased trucking costs between Catania and alternative airports. The episode illustrates how cascading events—first a fire, then volcanic ash—can magnify operational risk at single-runway airports. Experts urge organisations with staff based in eastern Sicily to update duty-of-care protocols and keep remote-work arrangements ready.citeturn9search7
Source: La Sicilia
