Catania–Fontanarossa Airport in Sicily will remain closed until 02:00 local time on 14 August after Mount Etna’s latest ash emissions forced another suspension of flights. Airport operator SAC extended the shutdown as volcanic activity continued to affect operations at Italy’s fifth-busiest airport, disrupting summer travel through one of the island’s main gateways.
The closure follows a week of repeated interruptions across eastern Sicily, with hundreds of flights already cancelled or diverted. Passengers and airlines have been left to adjust schedules as ash conditions changed, while aviation authorities continued managing the affected airspace around Catania.
The latest extension pushes reopening beyond the 13 August resumption previously expected, underscoring how quickly Etna’s activity can paralyse traffic at a major hub. Travellers were advised to check flight status with their airlines before heading to the airport.