Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced another suspension on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. This led to an extension of airspace restrictions, causing travel disruptions during the busy summer holiday season. The impact of the eruption was not limited to Sicily, as neighboring Malta also experienced flight cancellations and significant delays due to volcanic ash drifting south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently disrupts operations at Catania airport, the main gateway to Sicily and the fifth busiest airport in Italy in terms of passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have significantly impacted travelers, with lava flows and smoke seen rising from the crater during eruptions on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery captured smoke spreading from Mount Etna, illustrating the extent of the volcanic activity. Drone footage showed lava flowing down a slope during another eruption. Travel disruptions in eastern Sicily have been ongoing since last week when volcanic activity intensified and ash began spreading across the region, leading to stranded passengers at the airport terminal.
While conditions seemed to be improving on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The extended restrictions at Catania airport have also put strain on other airports in Sicily. Palermo’s airport accommodated 190 flights that were originally scheduled for Catania, and Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, resumed full operations after temporarily suspending flights due to ash from Mount Etna.