Mount Etna eruption disrupts flights at Catania Airport

A new eruption occurred on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The eruption resulted in the emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, forcing the closure of the C1 airspace sector and the subsequent suspension of incoming flights at the Catania international airport in Sicily. According to airport officials, all arrivals were halted until 12:00 local time (10:00 GMT), while aircraft already present at the airport were permitted to proceed with scheduled departures.

Mount Etna, which stands at an altitude of 3,324 meters, is recognized as Europe's highest active volcano and has a history of frequent explosive activity spanning the last 500,000 years. The Catania airport is a critical hub for eastern Sicily, serving approximately 12 million passengers in 2024. Officials from the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology have been monitoring the site, confirming that a plume of smoke was visible from the volcano's summit. No further disruptions or extended closures were reported beyond the specified timeframe.