Renewed volcanic activity at Mount Etna has disrupted air travel in Sicily, forcing Catania Airport (CTA) to suspend all arrivals and departures and prompting airlines to divert or cancel flights.
The airport operator, SAC, said on September 26 that all flight operations at Catania Fontanarossa would be suspended until 12:00 local time on September 27 because of volcanic ash and prevailing wind conditions. Airspace sectors C1 and B3 were also closed as part of the restrictions.
The airport initially operated with reduced capacity as the ash cloud approached, but restrictions were later tightened, leading to a complete suspension of both arrivals and departures.
Flights diverted to other Italian airports
The flight disruption began before the full suspension, with airlines diverting flights away from Catania. At least 10 flights were diverted, according to Italian media reports. Five were sent to Palermo (PMO), three to Trapani (TPS) and two to Comiso (CIY).
Aeroitalia moved its Rome-Catania services to Comiso while Catania remained unavailable. A Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Catania was also diverted to Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
The diversions allowed some services to continue operating, although affected passengers faced changes to their itineraries and, in some cases, additional ground transportation.
Other carriers canceled services instead of diverting them.
KM Malta Airlines confirmed that it canceled KM642 from Malta to Catania and KM643 from Catania to Malta on September 26 because of the volcanic activity and resulting restrictions at Catania.
Brussels Airlines also canceled its Catania-Brussels service scheduled for September 26. The airline said around 140 passengers were affected, with those travelers not expected to return until September 27 or September 28. The airline also diverted another Catania service to Palermo, with passengers continuing their journey to Catania by bus.
A TUI fly Belgium service was similarly diverted via Palermo.
Etna sends ash plume about 4 kilometers high
The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported an ash plume reaching approximately 4 kilometers above sea level, with the cloud moving south. A red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) was issued in response to the ongoing ash emission.
Volcanic ash poses a serious hazard to aircraft because it can affect engines and other aircraft systems. The restrictions at Catania were therefore driven by the presence and movement of the ash cloud, as well as the resulting airspace limitations.
The reopening of flight operations will depend on the volcanic ash situation, wind direction, and associated airspace restrictions. Airlines may also need additional time to reposition aircraft and crews and restore schedules disrupted by the suspension.