Flights were once again halted at Catania airport in Sicily on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano. This led to an extension of airspace restrictions, causing travel disruptions during the busy summer vacation period. The impact of the recent eruption reached beyond Sicily, affecting flights in neighboring Malta with cancellations and significant delays reported as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Catania airport, the main gateway in Sicily and the fifth busiest airport in Italy by passenger traffic, is frequently affected by Mount Etna’s volcanic activities. Visuals of lava flow and smoke rising from the volcano’s crater during the eruptions on July 5 and 6 were captured in photographs.
Satellite images depicted the spread of smoke from Mount Etna on Tuesday, while a drone view showed lava flowing down a slope during the eruption. Travel disruptions have plagued eastern Sicily since renewed volcanic activity and changing winds started carrying ash across the region last week. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the terminal as Catania airport closed due to an ash cloud from Etna on Monday.
Although conditions seemed to be improving on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania airport have led to increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that the city’s airport had accommodated 190 flights originally planned for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, resumed full operations after halting flights on Tuesday evening due to ash from Mount Etna.
