Catania airport remained under pressure on Monday as volcanic ash from Mount Etna again affected operations, prompting airport operator SAC to suspend arrivals until 17:00 local time. The restriction hit Sicily’s main gateway during the peak summer travel period and followed several days of repeated disruption linked to renewed volcanic activity.
SAC warned of severe operational impact and told passengers not to travel to the airport without first checking their flight status. The ash cloud drifted into the airspace around the airport, forcing inbound flights to be held back while conditions were assessed.
The latest suspension follows earlier partial shutdowns and extensions to arrival bans as Etna’s ash plume shifted over eastern Sicily. Catania is one of the island’s busiest airports, so restrictions there can quickly lead to cancellations, diversions and knock-on delays across domestic and international schedules.