The airport management company, SAC, announced the reopening of previously closed sectors and the immediate suspension of all flight restrictions at Catania International Airport. This measure was taken following the reduction of the volcanic alert level from red to orange.
The decision followed a statement from the Volcanic Observatory for Aviation, which reported a decrease in explosive activity. Although a 'weak ash emission' is still registered, these are located in the volcano's summit area and do not form a cloud that would impede flights.
The most recent eruption of Etna, which began on August 7, and subsequent ash emissions caused a period of great instability at Catania Airport over the last ten days. This resulted in massive flight cancellations and the redirection of aircraft to other Sicilian airports, such as Palermo (in the north), Comiso (in the south), and Trapani (in the west).
Even after a brief pause in operations on Saturday, arrivals were again limited on Monday due to the ash cloud generated by the Sicilian volcano.
Etna, with an altitude of 3,324 meters, is recognized as the highest active volcano in Europe, and its recurrent ash emission events often lead to the closure of airspace in southern Italy.
Initial estimates indicate that large-scale cancellations and diversions affected more than 100,000 passengers. The tourism companies association Assoesercenti Sicilia calculated the resulting economic damage between 12 and 24 million euros.