Home / Disasters and Accidents / Mount Etna Erupts: Catania Airport Flights Grounded
Mount Etna Erupts: Catania Airport Flights Grounded
28 Sep
Summary
- Catania Airport flights canceled due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna.
- Inbound flights suspended until midnight; departures also limited.
- This marks another closure following recent Etna eruptions.
Catania Airport in Sicily has again suspended all flights on Monday, September 28, 2026, due to volcanic ash spewing from Mount Etna. Inbound flights are particularly affected, with cancellations expected until midnight, and limitations also placed on departures.
This is not the first time the airport has faced closures due to volcanic activity. Earlier in September and extensively in August, Mount Etna's eruptions caused significant flight disruptions, stranding passengers and leading to hundreds of cancellations.
During a previous eruption two weeks ago, flights to and from the UK were impacted, with some diverted to Palermo. In August, five consecutive days of airport closures left families sleeping on the floor. Nearby Malta International Airport also reported 19 flight cancellations during a past eruption.
Catania Airport is a crucial hub, serving around 12.4 million passengers annually, averaging 40,000 per day. The ongoing volcanic activity highlights the airport's vulnerability to natural events.
