Mount Etna erupts again, shutting Sicily's main airport and disrupting flights to Malta

Mount Etna erupted again on Wednesday, prompting authorities to halt operations at Catania Airport and disrupt air travel across Sicily and neighboring Malta during the peak of the summer tourist season. The ash emitted by the volcano, which can be hazardous to aircraft, led to the extension of restrictions in the surrounding airspace and the suspension of flights at Catania, Sicily's primary international airport.

Catania Airport operator SAC announced that flights would remain grounded until at least 5 p.m. Israel time on Thursday, advising passengers to verify their flight status directly with their airlines. The latest eruption has also impacted travel beyond Sicily, causing flight cancellations and significant delays in Malta as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.

While conditions appeared to improve in Malta, Malta International Airport cautioned that further disruption could still occur. Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano, frequently disrupts operations at Catania Airport, the main gateway to Sicily and Italy's fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic. The prolonged restrictions in Catania have put additional strain on airports across Sicily during this busy travel period.

Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla reported that the city's airport had already handled 190 flights that were originally scheduled to arrive at or depart from Catania in recent days. Some passengers rerouted through Palermo faced difficulties in finding alternative transportation, as the unexpected surge in demand overwhelmed local bus and taxi services, leading to delays both at Palermo Airport and on the ground.

Comiso Airport, a smaller facility south of Catania that has also taken on some of the diverted traffic, returned to full operations on Wednesday after suspending flights the previous evening due to ash from Etna.