Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced a fresh suspension on Wednesday due to new ash emissions from Mount Etna, the highest and most active volcano in Europe. This led to extended airspace restrictions, causing travel disruptions during the busy summer holiday season. The impact of the eruption was not limited to Sicily, as neighboring Malta experienced flight cancellations and significant delays due to volcanic ash drifting south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently disrupts operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s main gateway and ranks as Italy’s fifth busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have significantly affected travelers, with lava flows and smoke rising from the crater captured in photographs taken on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery displayed the smoke spreading from Mount Etna, while a drone view showcased lava flowing down a slope during the eruption. Travel disruptions have plagued eastern Sicily since renewed volcanic activity and changing winds began carrying ash across the region last week. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the terminal following the airport closure due to an ash cloud from Etna.
Although conditions seemed to improve on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The extended restrictions at Catania have resulted in added pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo’s airport handled 190 flights that were originally scheduled for Catania, and Comiso airport, a smaller facility to the south, resumed full operations after halting flights on Tuesday due to ash from Mount Etna.