Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced another halt 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, disrupting travel during the peak summer holiday season. The impact of the recent eruption extended beyond Sicily, causing flight cancellations and significant delays in neighboring Malta as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently affects operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s primary gateway and the fifth busiest airport in Italy by passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have significantly impacted travelers, as shown in images capturing lava flow and smoke rising from the crater during the eruptions on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery depicts smoke spreading from Mount Etna, while drone footage shows lava flowing down a slope during the eruption on Tuesday. Travel disruptions have plagued eastern Sicily since last week, with ash clouds from Etna affecting the region. Stranded passengers were left waiting at the terminal following the closure of Catania airport due to the volcanic ash cloud.
While 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’s airport accommodated 190 flights originally destined for Catania, while Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, resumed full operations after halting flights on Tuesday evening due to ash from Mount Etna.