Catania, flights restored: the point of the president of SAC Anna Quattrone

"There is a protocol because clearly, as someone unfortunately said, the volcano has been here before us, so it is clear that no one has the presumption to say that we did everything in the best possible way, but I can assure you that there was the utmost commitment and maximum work on the part of all our operators". This was said by the president of SAC, Anna Quattrone, speaking to journalists at the airport in Catania after the restoration of flight activities following the passage of the state of alert for volcanic activities.

"A heartfelt thank you to Comiso airport - he added - which we always manage, where the operators worked 24 hours a day. It is also a heartfelt thank you to the airports of Trapani and Palermo who supported us in a truly excellent way".

"Community legislation - Quattrone recalled - provides that it is the airlines that 're-protect' or in any case support and support the passengers and therefore not the Sac, both in terms of information and refreshments. This in some cases did not happen and, to be honest, in other cases it did happen, and consequently, as we were the first subjects that the passengers met, they at least asked us for the information that we ourselves often did not have and that we were not able to give". "On the basis of this - he highlighted - we have made up for it with our Sac service staff who I thank for the commendable work done and in addition we also have 'facilitators' who are those people you see around the airport with bibs with the words 'ask me' written on them who gave the necessary information".

"There were around 1900 flights that were supposed to fly to Catania in these days of emergency - specified the president of Sac - which were re-protected, around 630, and 36% cancelled.

It is clear that the situation was complex to manage and the period is hot in every sense." "In fact, I remember - concluded Quattrone - that this is the first week of holidays for many passengers and therefore the period did not help and the situation was very complex and impactful as it had not happened for several years and therefore the combination of these elements caused quite a few inconveniences for passengers".