Catania Airport, which last week cancelled flights due to the wildfires, will open its temporary terminal, but non-Schengen flights will remain suspended.
According to a press release by the airport, the situation is gradually improving, but challenges regarding flight operations remain.
The airport is set to open today (August 3); the temporary terminal is an effort of the joint efforts of the Sicilian Airport Management Company (DSF) as well as the Air Force.
The terminal, which is located between Terminal B and C, consists of an additional space of 500 square meters where the security checks and boarding phases are carried out.
“The structure is equipped with X-ray equipment for checking hold luggage and a security gate for passengers and hand luggage. In these, the installation of the monitors and the preparation of the check stations are being finalised -in and gates, as well as waiting areas,” underlines the SAC press release.
Catania airport is expected to increase the number of flights from ten to 14 per hour, instead of the 21 flights that it used to generate when it was fully operational.
Flights outside the Schengen Area are still suspended, including those from the United Kingdom, operated by easyJet to Jet2, those to Riyadh and Tel Aviv, operated by Wizz Air, those operated by Air Cairo to Cairo and Luxor as well as those to Dubai (flydubai), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Casablanca (Ryanair).
In the meanwhile, delays and cancellations at Catania Airport are being recorded for direct flights or flights departing. In addition, long queues at the airport are being reported.
“Kind passengers with a scheduled flight departing from Terminal C of Catania Airport are kindly requested to arrive no later than three hours before the scheduled departure time to avoid overcrowding in the terminal. Thanks for your cooperation,” The Sac management company said in a social media post.
The CEO of Sac, Nico Torrisi, responded to claims of long queues and inconveniencies at the airport, as the Italian media reported previously. He noted that his company is working hard to help passengers by providing free water and information for people and financing 71 buses covering Trapani, Comiso, and Palermo regions.
Palermo Airport is expanding its service areas within the Terminals to accommodate the increased number of passengers. New areas have already been available for security checks and departures, and plans are in place to unveil a 400-square-meter departure lounge by August 15. Additionally, new commercial areas, including a pizzeria and a terrace, are set to open between August 4 and 7.
