Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced suspension once more on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. This led to the extension of airspace restrictions, causing travel disruptions during the peak summer holiday season. The impact of the recent eruption was not limited to Sicily, as neighboring Malta experienced flight cancellations and significant delays as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna’s frequent eruptions often disrupt operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s primary gateway and is the fifth busiest airport in Italy based on passenger traffic. The volcanic activities have impacted travelers, with lava flow and smoke visible from the crater during the eruptions on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery captured smoke spreading from Mount Etna, while a drone view showed lava flowing down a slope during another eruption. Travel disruptions have persisted in eastern Sicily since the previous week, with ash clouds affecting the region. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the airport terminal following the closure of Catania airport due to the volcanic ash.
Although conditions seemed to be improving on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The extended restrictions at Catania have created additional strain on Sicily’s other airports. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that Palermo airport had accommodated 190 flights originally destined for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, had also suspended flights briefly on Tuesday evening due to ash from Mount Etna but has since resumed full operations to manage the influx of tourist season traffic.