Etna volcano. Photo: Shutterstock Mount Etna is once again disrupting air travel in Sicily after renewed volcanic ash emissions forced the closure of parts of the airspace around Catania and the suspension of flights at Catania Fontanarossa International Airport.
The latest update from airport operator SAC, issued on September 14 at 7:30 PM, said the closure of aviation sectors B3 and C1 had been extended because of continued volcanic ash in the atmosphere. Flight operations were suspended until 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 15.
Passengers traveling through Catania Airport have been advised to check the status of their flight directly with their airline before heading to the airport.
The disruption follows a period of relative calm around Etna, with the volcano once again producing ash that is affecting aviation operations. Earlier on September 14, the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) raised the aviation color code for Etna to red, the highest level on the aviation alert scale.
In a VONA notification issued at 04:43 UTC, the Etna Observatory reported that volcanic ash emissions were continuing. The red aviation code is used when volcanic activity poses a potential threat to aircraft operations.
The impact was quickly felt at Catania Airport, one of the main gateways to eastern Sicily and one of Italy's busiest airports. With both arriving and departing operations affected, airlines have been forced to adjust their schedules.
Some flights that have not been canceled are being diverted to other airports in Sicily. Information displayed on Catania Airport's website showed diversions to Palermo and Comiso, in the southern part of the island.
The suspension could also cause disruption beyond the official reopening time. Flights that are cancelled or diverted can leave aircraft and crews out of position, while passengers may need to be rebooked. As a result, delays could continue even after the airport is permitted to resume operations.
For travelers with flights to or from Catania, airlines remain the main source for information about individual flights. Passengers are being advised not to travel to the airport without first confirming that their flight is operating.
Authorities and aviation officials continue to monitor Etna's activity and the movement of volcanic ash.