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 extended airspace restrictions, disrupting travel during the busy summer holiday season. The impact of the eruption extended to neighboring Malta, causing flight cancellations and significant delays as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently disrupts operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s main gateway and the fifth busiest airport in Italy based on passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have significantly affected travelers, as shown in images capturing lava flows and smoke rising from the crater during the eruptions on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery depicted smoke spreading from Mount Etna, further highlighting the volcanic activity. A drone view also captured lava flowing down a slope during the eruption. Travel disruptions have been ongoing in eastern Sicily since last week, as volcanic ash spread across the region due to renewed volcanic activity and changing winds, leading to stranded passengers at Catania airport.
Although conditions seemed to improve on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania have increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo’s airport accommodated 190 flights that were originally scheduled for Catania, while Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, resumed full operations after briefly suspending flights due to ash from Mount Etna.