Catania Airport in Sicily has temporarily suspended all arrivals and departures due to volcanic ash spewing from Mount Etna, the airport announced Monday. The shutdown is expected to last until 10 p.m. local time (9 p.m. UK time).
Catania Airport, a major gateway to Sicily and Italy's fifth-busiest airport, typically serves around 12 million passengers annually. Airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air operate flights to and from the airport.
The Etna Volcano Observatory issued a red VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice to Aviation) alert for the ash cloud, which was drifting towards the airport. This is not the first time Mount Etna's activity has disrupted air travel; the airport was also closed for a week in August during the peak summer season.
Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano at 3,324 meters (nearly 11,000 feet), has a history of causing flight disruptions. However, increased ash emissions this summer have led to more frequent disruptions, affecting thousands of travelers.
The repeated closures have fueled calls within Italy to either close Catania airport permanently or expand other hubs in Sicily due to its proximity to Etna, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) away.
Between August 6 and August 12, 36% of flights bound for Catania were canceled, according to SAC, the airport operator. Over 600 flights were diverted to nearby airports, including Palermo, Trapani, Comiso, and Lamezia Terme.
The August eruption, which offered spectacular lava flows that drew visitors, resulted in the airport closing for five consecutive days. This was the longest closure since 2002 and left thousands of tourists stranded.
Catania Airport stated Monday that "Due to Mount Etna's eruptive activity, the airspace corresponding to sectors C1 and B3 has been closed." Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before traveling to the airport.