Catania Fontanarossa Airport in Sicily was forced to suspend arrivals again on Monday after renewed ash emissions from Mount Etna triggered aviation restrictions over eastern Sicily. Airport operator SAC initially limited the shutdown to arrivals until 16:00 local time, while later coverage indicated the disruption could extend into the evening as authorities monitored ash dispersion. More than 50 flights were reported cancelled or diverted.
A strong ash plume rose to around four kilometres, prompting the highest aviation warning level and the closure of airspace sector C1, which covers a key approach corridor to the airport. Some incoming services were redirected to Comiso, Palermo, Trapani and Bari, while travellers were advised to check flight status before heading to the terminal.
The latest interruption comes only weeks after another Etna-related closure, underscoring the repeated operational risk volcanic activity poses to one of Italy’s busiest airports and a major gateway for eastern Sicily.