All flights at Catania International Airport in Sicily have been suspended due to volcanic ash drifting from the nearby Mount Etna eruption, according to BBC News.
This marks the second disruption in recent months for the facility, which is one of Italy’s busiest airports, as emissions from Europe’s tallest active volcano continue to pose operational challenges.
Airport authorities announced that the suspension of arrivals and departures, which began on Monday, will remain in effect until 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
The decision followed a red aviation alert issued on Monday by the INGV Etneo Observatory, citing persistent volcanic activity at the site.
In a statement posted on its website, Catania Airport — the fifth-busiest in Italy by passenger volume — indicated that further updates would be provided as the situation develops. The terminal advised travelers to consult their airlines before departing for the airport.
Located approximately 40km (25 miles) from the volcano, Catania typically handles around 12 million passengers annually. The airport was shut down for nearly a week during last month’s peak summer travel season due to similar volcanic activity.
The recurring disruptions have reignited calls for the airport to close permanently or for other regional facilities to be expanded to mitigate risks associated with Etna’s proximity.
Standing at 3,324 metres (10,906ft), Mount Etna erupted frequently this past August, drawing roughly 1.5 million visitors annually who were captivated by the visible lava flows despite the travel chaos.
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