Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced another suspension on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, the highest and most active volcano in Europe. This led to extended airspace restrictions, causing disruptions in travel during the peak summer holiday season. The impact of the recent eruption extended beyond Sicily, with flight cancellations and significant delays reported in neighboring Malta as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently affects operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s main gateway and is the fifth busiest airport in Italy in terms of passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have significantly impacted travelers, with images showing lava flows and smoke rising from the crater during the eruptions on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery captured the smoke spreading from Mount Etna on Tuesday, while a drone view showcased lava flowing down a slope during the eruption. Travel disruptions have been ongoing in eastern Sicily since last week, with stranded passengers waiting at the terminal following the closure of Catania airport due to the ash cloud from Etna on Monday.
Despite some improvements on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania have also increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that Palermo’s airport had accommodated 190 flights originally meant for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, has resumed full operations after temporarily suspending flights on Tuesday due to ash from Mount Etna.