The airport in Catania, Sicily, has been temporarily closed after a major fire. The operation will be completely suspended until Wednesday, causing significant disruptions for travelers.
Catania Airport Shuts Down Following Fire
The entire flight operation at Catania Airport on the Italian island of Sicily has been halted until the coming Wednesday due to a fire. The fire broke out at the airport during the night on Monday and was extinguished by emergency services in the early morning hours. No injuries were reported.
“We thank the firefighters, government authorities, first responders, and the airport community for their swift reaction,” the airport stated in a Facebook post. However, due to the impact of the fire, all flights will be suspended until Wednesday at 2:00 PM.
Information regarding the possible cause of the fire or its potential connection to the current high temperatures in the region is not yet available, according to the Reuters news agency. On Sunday, Catania was one of several Italian cities for which a red heat warning was issued.
Updated Information from Airlines
The temporary closure is expected to cause significant disruptions for both Italian and foreign travelers. The airport urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest information regarding their flights. The Mayor of Catania, Enrico Trantino, requested that people not come to the airport due to anticipated major traffic disruptions.
Following the nationwide air travel strike in Italy last Saturday, this incident once again leads to significant disruptions during the peak travel season. The eastern coast of Sicily, with cities such as Taormina, Syracuse, and many other popular tourist destinations, attracts a large number of visitors. Various airlines from Germany also fly to Catania on a daily basis.
Catania Airport is the fifth-largest airport in Italy. According to Assaeroporti, the Italian airport association, it handled over one million passengers in May.