CATANIA, Italy, September 29, 2026. Flights resumed at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport after authorities lowered the aviation alert connected to Mount Etna from red to orange, ending another temporary interruption for travelers in eastern Sicily.
Airport operator SAC said inbound and outbound operations could restart immediately. Reuters reported the reopening on September 29, while the airport’s official Etna update page said the alert had ended and normal service was restored.
A stop-and-start disruption
The airport had suspended operations until 1 p.m. GMT on Tuesday because of renewed volcanic activity and adverse weather. That closure came only hours after services resumed Monday evening following a three-day shutdown. Volcanic ash can reduce visibility and damage aircraft engines, so airports and aviation authorities may restrict flights even when conditions on the ground appear manageable.
Catania is a major gateway to Sicily, and the repeated interruptions affected thousands of passengers. Some flights were diverted to other airports, adding pressure elsewhere in the region. A reopened airport does not guarantee that every scheduled flight will operate on time; aircraft and crews may be out of position after earlier cancellations.
What travelers should check
Passengers with Catania itineraries should confirm their flight directly with the operating airline before leaving for the airport. They should also review airport notices for renewed airspace limits, because volcanic conditions and wind direction can change. Travelers whose flights were canceled or diverted should use the airline’s official rebooking channel and retain receipts for necessary expenses.
The orange alert was the reported status at the time of reopening on September 29, not a forecast that further disruption is impossible. For another weather-related travel risk, AskNovus is following flood concerns linked to former Storm Polo.
Sources
Featured photo: Asa Rodger via Unsplash; Mount Etna in Sicily.