Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced another round of suspension on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. This forced authorities to extend airspace restrictions, causing disruptions during the peak summer holiday season. The impact of the recent eruption extended to neighboring Malta, leading to flight cancellations and significant delays as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently disrupts operations at Catania airport, Sicily’s primary gateway and the fifth busiest airport in Italy by passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have significantly affected travelers. Images captured the lava flow and smoke rising from the volcano’s crater during the eruption on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery displayed smoke spreading from Mount Etna, emphasizing the ongoing volcanic activity. A drone view captured lava flowing down a slope during the eruption on Tuesday. Travel disruptions have plagued eastern Sicily since last week, with ash clouds spreading due to renewed volcanic activity and changing winds. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the terminal following the closure of Catania airport due to the ash cloud from Etna on Monday.
While conditions seemed to improve on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania have led to increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that Palermo airport had to accommodate 190 flights initially bound for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, which had been handling tourist season traffic, resumed full operations after halting flights on Tuesday due to ash from Mount Etna.