Ash from Mount Etna eruption suspends flights at Sicily airport

Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted again, sending smoke and ash into the atmosphere and causing disruptions at Sicily's Catania International Airport. The eruption intensified significantly starting Thursday evening, evolving into a powerful lava fountain overnight.

A substantial ash cloud dispersed towards the southeast, leading to ashfall in nearby towns like Ragalna and Adrano. A new lava flow was also observed originating from an eruptive vent at an altitude of approximately 2,750 meters in the Valle del Leone. The National Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology confirmed the intense activity at a summit crater.

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Due to Etna's eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the cloud (Sector C1) has been closed.

Catania International Airport, a key gateway for Sicily serving around 12 million passengers annually, was severely impacted. The airport announced the closure of the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud and suspended all arriving flights until 12:00 local time (1000 GMT). Departures were operating normally.

Mount Etna, standing at 3,324 meters, is Europe's tallest active volcano and has a history of frequent eruptions over the past half-million years. This latest event highlights the ongoing geological activity of the region and its potential to disrupt local infrastructure and travel.

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All arriving flights at Catania Airport are suspended until 12:00 local time (1000 GMT). Departures of aircraft currently at the airport are operating normally.