Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily is 12 miles from Catania Airport, which was damaged in a recent fire. Italian officials are considering a plan to let commercial flights use a base shared with NAS Sigonella as an emergency alternative. (U.S. Navy)
NAPLES, Italy — Italian officials are considering using a military base in Sicily for commercial air flights, but it’s unclear whether the plan would impact U.S. Navy operations on the shared installation.
Renato Schifani, the governor of Sicily, announced that the Italian Defense Ministry said it would be possible to use the base at Sigonella as an emergency alternative to a nearby international airport damaged in a recent fire, the Italian news agency Ansa reported Thursday.
The report did not say when commercial flights at the Italian base could begin, nor did it offer details such as how passengers would be transported to and from the area.
The base, about 12 miles from Catania Airport, is shared with U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, which operates independently as a tenant of the Italian base.
Navy officials did not respond Friday to questions about potential effects to flight operations if commercial airline traffic uses the Italian side of the base.
Sicilian officials have been grappling with dozens of flight cancellations and delays during the summer tourist season since a fire damaged the main terminal at the airport Sunday.
In May, more than 1 million passengers traveled through the airport, according to assaeroporti.com.
The terminal was expected to reopen midweek, but officials announced it will remain closed until at least Monday, Ansa reported.
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority and the airport manager said Wednesday they were working to expand another terminal to allow a gradual increase in flights.
NAS Sigonella is home to more than 34 commands, among them Commander Task Force 67, which operates maritime patrol, rotary wing and electronic attack aircraft.
Those operations include flights over the Mediterranean, North, Baltic and Black seas in anti-submarine, anti-surface, and surveillance roles, according to Navy.mil.
Earlier in the week, NAS Sigonella officials said they expect minimal travel disruptions for service members and their families during the busy change-of-station season.
Many personnel travel to and from the base on Defense Department-chartered commercial flights.
