Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced disruptions once again on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. This led to the extension of airspace restrictions, impacting travel during the peak summer holiday season. The effects of the eruption were not limited to Sicily, as neighboring Malta experienced flight cancellations and significant delays as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.

Mount Etna’s volcanic activities often cause operational challenges at Catania airport, the main gateway to Sicily and the fifth busiest airport in Italy based on passenger traffic. Recent images captured lava flows and smoke emanating from the volcano’s crater on July 5 and 6, depicting the intensity of the eruptions. Satellite imagery also showed the smoke plume spreading from Mount Etna on Tuesday.

Travel disruptions have plagued eastern Sicily since the previous week when volcanic activity resumed and winds shifted, causing ash to spread across the region. Stranded passengers were left waiting at the airport terminal as Catania airport was closed due to the ash cloud from Mount Etna.

While conditions seemed to improve on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania airport have led to increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that Palermo’s airport had accommodated 190 flights originally destined for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, which had been assisting with the influx of tourist season traffic, resumed full operations after a temporary suspension of flights on Tuesday evening due to ash fallout from Mount Etna.