Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Etna Ash Keeps Catania Airport Shut Until Friday
There is a big volcano in Italy called Mount Etna, on the island of Sicily.
Right now it is blowing out lots of ash.
Ash is dangerous for airplanes because it can get inside their engines and cause problems.
Because of this, the airport in the city of Catania has had to stop all flights.
The airport will stay closed until at least early Friday morning.
Many people are travelling because it is summer holiday time, so hundreds of flights have been cancelled or sent to other airports.
More than 100,000 people have been affected, and some even had to sleep at the airport.
Rental cars ran out and prices went up, so many people used buses and trains instead.
A scientist who studies volcanoes said this eruption is stronger than earlier ones because deeper, hot magma with lots of gas makes extra ash.
If you want to fly, you should ask your airline if your plane will still leave before going to the airport.
Catania airport in Sicily will remain closed until at least 2 a.m. local time on Friday, August 14, due to ash from Mount Etna, with one report saying the halt could extend to 8 a.m.
Around 700 flights have been affected since August 7 according to one account, while another reports about 1,000 cancellations and 350 reroutings (over 1,350 affected) between August 6 and 12.
Over 100,000 passengers are estimated to have been affected, and flights have been diverted to Palermo, Trapani and Comiso, with travellers sleeping at the airport and facing rental-car shortages and surging prices.
Ryanair, the dominant carrier, warned passengers to expect heavy delays, cancellations and diversions on Thursday; EasyJet cancelled a return flight from London Gatwick.
Volcanologist Marco Viccaro (Italian Volcanological Association) said the eruption, which began August 6, is more energetic and sustained than earlier episodes due to deeper, gas-rich magma producing increased ash.
- Who
- Passengers and airlines at Catania airport, airport operator Società Aeroporto Catania (SAC), and volcanologist Marco Viccaro, president of the Italian Volcanological Association.
- What
- All arrivals and departures at Catania airport were suspended because of ash from Mount Etna's volcanic activity, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations and reroutings during the summer holiday peak.
- When
- The suspension runs through at least 2 a.m. local time on Friday, August 14; the sustained volcanic activity began on August 6, with about 700 flights affected since August 7.
- Where
- Catania airport in Sicily, Italy, near Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano.
- Why
- Ash from more energetic, sustained volcanic activity at Mount Etna is severely disrupting air traffic to and from Catania airport.
- Affected airport
- Catania airport, Sicily (Italy's fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic)
- Airport operator
- Società Aeroporto Catania (SAC)
- Flights suspended until
- At least 2 a.m. local time Friday, August 14 (one report says 8 a.m.)
- Cause
- Ash from Mount Etna's volcanic activity
- Flights affected
- About 700 (one report); about 1,000 cancellations and 350 reroutings (another report)
- Passengers affected
- More than 100,000 estimated
- Alternate airports
- Palermo, Trapani, Comiso
- Dominant carrier
- Ryanair (also Wizz Air, EasyJet and ITA Airways)
