Flights at Catania airport in Sicily were once again halted on Wednesday due to new ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and most active volcano. This led to the extension of airspace restrictions, causing travel disruptions during the busy summer holiday season. The effects of the eruption were not limited to Sicily, as neighboring Malta experienced flight cancellations and significant delays due to volcanic ash drifting southward across the Mediterranean.
Mount Etna frequently impacts operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s primary gateway and is Italy’s fifth busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have had a notable impact on travelers, with lava flows and smoke visible during the eruptions on July 5 and 6.
Satellite imagery captured the smoke spreading from Mount Etna on Tuesday, showcasing the extent of the volcanic activity. Additionally, drone footage captured lava cascading down a slope during the eruption.
Travel disruptions have been ongoing in eastern Sicily since the previous week, when renewed volcanic activity and changing winds led to ash spreading across the region. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the airport terminal following the closure of Catania airport due to the ash cloud from Mount Etna.
While conditions seemed to be improving on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania have also placed strain on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that the city’s airport had managed 190 flights originally intended for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, reopened for full operations after temporarily suspending flights on Tuesday evening due to the ash fallout from Mount Etna.