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Flights across Europe continue to be disrupted as Sicily’s Mount Etna continues to erupt.
Many flights departing Catania Airport have been cancelled due to the volcanic ash, including services to Amsterdam, Paris and New York JFK.
The airport, which is located on the island of Sicily, is subject to frequent disruption due to regular activity from Etna.
The most recent update on Catania Airport’s website dated today (12 August) states: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and current wind conditions, Sector B3 has been closed. Arrivals and departures are suspended until 6:00 PM.”
It adds: “Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”
Some flights have departed and arrived according to Flight Radar data, which indicates that 10 per cent of flights are operating.
Mount Etna’s recent activity has also caused travel chaos further afield, with flights cancelled due to its ash cloud. Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano, frequently disrupts operations at Catania airport, which is Sicily's main gateway and Italy's fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic.
A statement on Malta International Airport’s website dated 11 August confirmed that it was experiencing “flight disruptions” due to Etna. The small Mediterranean island is located 220km south of Etna. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport.
While current departures and arrivals appear to be running as normal, there are some cancellations and delays for flights to Edinburgh and Paris.
The prolonged restrictions at Catania have placed additional pressure on Sicily's other airports during one of the busiest periods of the tourist season.
Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla said the city's airport had absorbed 190 flights originally scheduled to arrive at or depart from Catania in recent days.
Some passengers rerouted to Palermo complained of inadequate assistance with onward transportation, as demand for buses and taxis surged following their arrival. Extra traffic has also caused delays at Palermo airport, operators said.
Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania that has also been used in recent days to absorb traffic, has returned to full operations after suspending flights on Tuesday evening due to ash from Mount Etna, Italian news agency ANSA reported on Wednesday.
The latest update from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), Etna Observatory, reports “continuing effusive activity” from eruptive vents.
Its Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) remains red – the highest alert – indicating ongoing hazards for aircraft from ash emissions.
In July, all flights to and from the airport were cancelled following a similar eruption.