All arriving flights to Catania Airport in Sicily have been suspended after ash from Mount Etna's latest eruption drifted into nearby airspace. The suspension is scheduled to remain in effect until 5pm local time today (August 10).
Flight Disruptions and Airline Impact
Carriers including Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, and Wizz Air are among those affected. Travellers have been advised to verify their flight status before departing for the airport.
Initially, a restricted number of aircraft were allowed to land, with arrivals limited to five per hour until 6am. Authorities then decided to halt incoming flights completely.
Airspace Closure and Volcanic Activity
Airport operator SAC stated that a portion of airspace to the south-west of Mount Etna had been closed due to the ash cloud. In a statement, SAC said: "Due to Etna's eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano (Sector C1) has been closed. Arrivals are suspended until 5.00 PM."
The airport operator warned that the disruption was considerably affecting operations and urged passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the terminal. It added: "The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions."
Ongoing Eruption and Aviation Alert
Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reported that Mount Etna's eruption was ongoing, with multiple lava flows documented. The aviation alert for the volcano remains at red, the maximum warning level, due to the hazard posed to aircraft by volcanic ash.
Catania is Sicily's busiest airport and ranks fifth across Italy. Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is a frequent cause of flight disruption at the airport. Palermo Airport, on the opposite side of Sicily, appears to be operating normally.
