Mount Etna’s renewed ash emissions forced Catania–Fontanarossa Airport in Sicily to suspend all arrivals and departures on 26 September, with operations due to remain halted until midday on 27 September. The disruption hit Italy’s fifth-busiest airport and quickly spread across carriers serving eastern Sicily, with flights diverted to Palermo, Trapani and Comiso and several services cancelled.
SAC, the airport operator, first paused incoming flights before extending the restriction to the full schedule as ash and weather conditions reduced safe operations. At least 10 flights were diverted before the wider shutdown took effect, including services operated by Aeroitalia, Delta Air Lines and TUI. Brussels Airlines also cancelled one Catania service and routed another via Palermo, affecting about 140 passengers. The airline arranged onward bus transfer to Catania for travellers whose flight landed at Palermo.
The closures followed a red aviation warning and the temporary shutdown of affected airspace sectors, which limited landings and take-offs over eastern Sicily. Even brief interruptions at Catania can cascade through domestic and international schedules because the airport serves as a key gateway for the region.