Mount Etna erupted today in Sicily, Italy, producing massive ash clouds that have forced the cancellation of all incoming flights at Catania Airport, according to local news outlet La Sicilia. A red alert has been declared by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) via the Etna Observatory, elevating the aviation alert from orange to red following the summit activity.
Flight Disruptions and Safety Measures
Flight monitoring service Flight Radar 24 shows all arriving flights at Catania Airport as cancelled. Italy's flagship carrier ITA has confirmed that all its flights departing and arriving at the airport will be cancelled or rescheduled due to the ongoing ash cloud sweeping across the region. The ash began billowing from the volcano at around 7:45 a.m. local time before intensifying just before 9 a.m., as reported by the Mirror.
According to La Sicilia, the intense volcanic ash emissions have triggered a warning for aviation that the phenomenon "is in full swing." A red alert is issued when an ash cloud presents a potential hazard to aircraft. Experts are monitoring the situation via visual and thermal cameras positioned on the volcano.
Mount Etna's Activity and Recent History
Mount Etna, one of Europe's highest and most active stratovolcanoes, is located on the east coast of Sicily in Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania. It remains in near-continuous activity, with its most recent eruption documented on January 1 of this year. Recent weeks have seen local sources report gradual lava movement from a fissure that emerged at approximately 3,000 metres near the base of the Northeast Crater. The INGV confirmed it detected activity in the upper Valle del Leone on June 26.
Impact on Air Travel
Video footage circulating on social media captures the active volcano, with ash clouds causing widespread disruption. The red alert affects flights across Europe, as the ash cloud poses a serious safety risk to aircraft engines. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates on cancellations and rescheduling.
