- Catania airport in Sicily remains closed during peak holiday season due to ongoing eruption of Mount Etna, affecting thousands of travelers.
- Europe’s most active volcano has been spewing ash and lava flows from multiple vents, disrupting flight operations and causing serious travel problems for tourists.
- Tourists are now seeking alternative travel options, such as using the airport in Palermo or taking the train, as Mount Etna’s eruptive activity continues.
Catania airport on the Italian Mediterranean island of Sicily remained closed on Wednesday during peak holiday season due to the latest eruption of Mount Etna, with thousands of travellers affected
The airport’s airspace has now been restricted until at least 6 pm (1600 GMT). An earlier closure order had been set to expire at 11 am
Tourists from abroad are among those affected
Europe’s most active volcano has been spewing large quantities of ash and glowing rock fragments since Friday. Thick lava flows have been emerging from two vents at altitudes of 2,360 metres and 2,750 metres, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Two additional new lava flows have since formed
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Flight operations have been disrupted since Friday, with the airspace only fully closed in the past few days. The timing – in the height of summer, with large numbers of foreign visitors on the island – is causing serious problems
Many travellers are now trying to use the airport in the island’s capital, Palermo, or the train as an alternative
