Active volcano. Photo: Shutterstock Flights at Catania Airport are facing disruption on August 10, 2026, as renewed volcanic activity from Mount Etna sends volcanic ash into the atmosphere.
Catania Airport said the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano, identified as Sector C1, has been closed because of the ongoing volcanic activity.
As a result, arrivals at Catania Airport are suspended until 5:00 pm local time , with the airport warning that the situation is significantly affecting operations.
Passengers traveling through Catania are being urged to check directly with their airline before heading to the airport. The airport said the situation is being continuously monitored and that further operational updates will depend on how the volcanic activity and weather conditions develop.
Volcanic ash can create serious problems for aircraft operations, particularly when an ash cloud enters flight paths or airport airspace. Airlines and aviation authorities can therefore impose restrictions or suspend operations in affected areas as conditions change.
The latest disruption comes amid continued monitoring of Mount Etna by Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and follows Friday's f light operations at the same airport.
The Etna Volcano Observatory publishes aviation notices when volcanic conditions change significantly. Previous 2026 notices have documented periods of Strombolian activity and volcanic ash emissions at the summit.
For travelers, the immediate impact is uncertainty around arrival times and possible knock-on delays. Even if restrictions are lifted later in the day, airlines may need additional time to reorganize aircraft and crews, meaning disruption can continue after the airspace restriction itself ends.
Catania Airport has therefore advised passengers not to travel to the airport without first checking their flight status with their airline.