Catania Airport, the busiest aviation hub in Sicily, has officially suspended all incoming and outgoing flights in response to ongoing volcanic activity at Mount Etna. Airport authorities have confirmed that the suspension will remain in effect until at least 6 pm CEST. Travelers are strongly advised to refrain from heading to the airport without first verifying their specific flight status directly with their respective airlines.
As a result of the disruption, many flights are being redirected to Palermo Airport. On July 5 alone, approximately 33 additional flights were diverted to that facility, and the airport has provided a list of two dozen scheduled arrivals on its official Facebook page. To assist affected passengers, airlines are currently organizing bus transport to ferry holidaymakers from Palermo to their intended final destinations.
The volcanic unrest follows a warning issued by the Italian Department of Civil Protection, which elevated the alert level for Europe’s most active volcano from green to yellow on June 26 at 7.30 pm, citing a notable increase in volcanic tremors. Recent drone footage has captured dramatic scenes of lava flowing down the mountainside.
Catania Airport is situated roughly 45 kilometres from Mount Etna and serves as a major gateway for numerous international carriers, including Lufthansa, Wizz Air, KLM, Ryanair, and easyJet.
