Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced another halt on Wednesday due to new ash emissions from Mount Etna, the highest and most active volcano in Europe. This led authorities to extend airspace restrictions, causing travel disruptions during the busy summer vacation period. The impact of the recent eruption extended to neighboring Malta, where flights were canceled and significant delays were experienced as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna often disrupts operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s primary gateway and is the fifth busiest airport in Italy in terms of passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have had a notable effect on travelers, with lava flow and smoke observed emanating from the crater on July 5 and 6, respectively.
Satellite imagery captured smoke spreading from Mount Etna on Tuesday, while a drone view showed lava streaming down a slope during an eruption on the same day. Travel disruptions have impacted eastern Sicily since the previous week, with ash clouds from Etna affecting the region. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the terminal after Catania airport closure due to the volcanic ash cloud on Monday.
Despite some improvement in conditions on Wednesday, Malta International Airport cautioned passengers about potential disruptions. The ongoing restrictions at Catania have increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that the city’s airport had accommodated 190 flights that were initially meant for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, which had been handling tourist traffic, resumed full operations after halting flights on Tuesday due to Etna’s ash.
The situation continues to evolve as authorities monitor the volcanic activity and its impact on air travel in the region.