Mount Etna Ash Emissions Keep Catania Airport Shut for Second Day
Catania's Vincenzo Bellini Airport remains closed for a second day as Mount Etna continues to emit ash, with the flight suspension extended until midnight.
Mount Etna's ongoing ash emissions have forced Catania's Vincenzo Bellini Airport to remain closed for a second consecutive day, with authorities extending the suspension of all flights until midnight.
The airport had initially planned to resume operations at noon on Sunday, but the continued volcanic activity prompted an extension of the shutdown. In a notice posted on its website, the airport advised travellers to contact their airline to confirm the status of their flight before travelling to the terminal.
Traces of the eruption remain visible in the skies above the city, where plumes of smoke and volcanic ash have been rising from the mountain. Footage from the area showed Mount Etna emitting smoke above Catania, with thick clouds and ash drifting over the surrounding landscape.
At the airport, the disruption was evident on departure and flight information boards, which displayed cancellations throughout the day. Travellers were seen waiting outside the terminal building, while the tarmac stood empty and the Terminal A sign marked the entrance to a facility operating well below its normal capacity.
The closure has affected one of Sicily's busiest aviation hubs, which serves as a key gateway to the eastern part of the island and the city of Catania. Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes, has a long history of eruptions that periodically disrupt air travel in the region.