Catania Airport suspended incoming flights on Friday after renewed activity at Mount Etna sent volcanic ash into the airspace over Sicily, disrupting operations at one of the island’s main travel hubs. The restriction applied to arrivals at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, while departures from aircraft already on the ground continued normally until conditions improved.
The airport operator SAC imposed the measure as aviation authorities tracked the ash cloud through the VONA warning system and monitoring from the INGV Etna Observatory. Later in the day, the airport returned to normal operations after the alert level was lowered.
The disruption came during the peak summer travel period, when Catania handles heavy passenger traffic to and from Sicily. Temporary shutdowns linked to Etna’s eruptions are a recurring operational risk for the airport because ash can affect aircraft engines, visibility and runway safety. Flights were diverted and passengers were advised to check with airlines before travelling, while some reports described rail arrangements for stranded travellers.