Mount Etna ash suspends arrivals at Italy’s Catania airport

A massive volcanic eruption at Mount Etna forced the closure of Catania Airport in Sicily, causing major travel disruptions for holidaymakers. The night-time explosion saw lava fountains reaching hundreds of metres into the sky, with a new fissure opening along the Valle del Leone. Molten rock cascaded down the volcano's slopes, reaching elevations of around 2,000 metres.

An ash plume was ejected to a height of 7,300 metres, creating a strict red aviation warning across eastern Sicily. Catania Vincenzo Bellini Airport immediately halted all incoming flights, with outbound journeys halted due to the absence of planes on the ground. Some aircraft managed to land, but ash clouds quickly led to runway closures once more.

Airlines redirected flights to other Sicilian airports, including Palermo, Trapani, and Comiso. Meanwhile, train operator Trenitalia introduced emergency services through Messina and Palermo to assist stranded travelers. Civil protection volunteers worked to aid passengers in regional terminals, while towns like Adrano, Ragalna, and Nicolosi experienced heavy ash falls.

The volcano is known for its frequent, minor Strombolian activity and occasional major paroxysms, with flight disruptions being a recurring issue at Catania Airport.