Mount Etna Paralyzes Sicily Airport in Worst Crisis in 20 Years

Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has grounded flights at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport until August 15, triggering Sicily’s most severe aviation crisis in two decades amid persistent volcanic activity.

Flight Suspensions and Diversions at Catania Airport

“Due to the eruption of Etna […], arrivals and departures are suspended until 2:00 AM on August 15 [Saturday – ed.]. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with the airline before heading to the airport,” the Catania-Fontanarossa airport authorities announced in a statement.

Between August 6 and 12, a total of approximately 630 out of roughly 1,970 flights were diverted to other airports (Comiso, Palermo, Trapani), and about 700 were canceled. According to the Catania airport management, Etna’s multi-day eruption activity has caused the most serious aviation crisis there in 20 years.

Tourist Curiosity and Safety Risks Near the Volcano

At the same time, the volcanic activity is generating enormous interest. Every day, hundreds of people head along the paths on the volcano’s slope to get as close to it as possible, where special security measures are in place.

Experts appeal for caution, but footage published by Italian media shows these calls are frequently disregarded, with people standing close to glowing pieces of lava rolling toward them. Tour participants are urged not to approach active craters or lava flows on their own, because under the current activity, the situation can change within hours.

Unprecedented Continuous Eruption and Monitoring

The newspaper “La Sicilia,” citing vulcanologists, noted that Etna has ceased its short and violent rhythms of activity and for seven days has exhibited unprecedented continuous eruption persistence: explosions, lava fountains, and dense ash clouds.

The situation on Etna had been monitored for several weeks. At the end of June, the Civil Protection Department raised the alert level from green to yellow, triggering the operational early warning phase due to increased volcanic tremors and resumed activity.

Co-author: Sylwia Wysocka from Rome (PAP)

Edited by Jan Latała