Sicily’s tourism sector is demanding a permanent crisis task force after Mount Etna’s eruptions disrupted flights, stranded travelers, and forced travel agencies to handle cancellations and rebookings.
Chaos at the airports
Fiavet Sicilia Confcommercio president Gianluca Glorioso stated the volcanic activity revealed weaknesses in emergency response. Coordination among airlines, airports, and local authorities failed, leaving passengers and operators with outdated or unclear information.
“Non possiamo continuare ad affrontare ogni emergenza partendo da zero,” Glorioso said. “Every time we find ourselves chasing problems after they have already occurred, when we should have operational procedures already in place and immediately activatable.”
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Travel agencies and tour operators received a wave of complaints from clients facing sudden flight cancellations, unexpected airport transfers, and long delays for new arrangements. Some passengers were rebooked onto flights departing from different airports, where ground transportation was scarce or unavailable.
One common problem involved travelers arriving at one airport only to learn their flight would leave from another, sometimes hours away. Without clear instructions, many struggled to reach the new departure point in time.
Demands for change
Fiavet Sicilia proposed reforms to improve emergency handling:
- A permanent crisis task force including regional authorities, civil protection agencies, airport operators, airlines, and tourism representatives to coordinate responses before issues worsen.
- A unified protocol detailing procedures for cancellations, rebookings, and passenger support, with clear roles for each party.
- A centralized information system offering real-time updates on airport status, flight changes, and transport alternatives for agencies and the public.
- A regional mobility plan to strengthen connections between Sicily’s airports and tourist destinations, ensuring faster transfers during disruptions.
The federation noted that agencies and operators have borne much of the burden, covering costs and logistical problems caused by external decisions. “Their role is to plan trips, not to replace airlines or institutions in managing crises,” Glorioso said.
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While acknowledging the efforts of airport and airline staff working under pressure, Fiavet Sicilia called the current system unsustainable. The group offered to contribute its members’ experiences to develop a better emergency response that safeguards travelers and Sicily’s tourism reputation.
Mount Etna’s eruptions pose ongoing challenges, but the sector insists better planning could reduce many of the resulting problems. The decision now rests with regional and national authorities.
For now, the priority is addressing the current situation. Glorioso was firm: “Next time, we must be prepared.”