World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Etna ash prompts airspace closure and limits at Catania airport
Authorities closed airspace sector B1 over Mount Etna after volcanic ash was detected.
Arrivals at Catania airport are limited to 10 an hour until 21:00 on October 29.
The airport is in eastern Sicily, near the volcano.
Etna’s aviation alert rose from orange to red because a weak ash emission was continuing.
The airport had no reported operational problems when the restrictions were announced.
The measures have renewed discussion about possible alternatives to Catania airport, an issue raised again by Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci.
The arrival limit is due to remain in place until 21:00.
Etna ash prompted the immediate closure of airspace sector B1 and a limit of 10 arrivals per hour at Catania airport on 29 October 2026.
The aviation alert code was raised from orange to red after ash continued to rise from the volcano.
The ash came from the Northeast Crater and formed a cloud estimated at about 4 kilometres above sea level, according to Montagna.TV.
The restrictions were imposed as a safety measure, and ANSA reported no disruption at the airport at the time.
- Who
- The Etna Observatory of Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology raised the aviation alert. Catania airport operator SAC confirmed the restrictions.
- What
- Airspace sector B1 was closed and arrivals at Catania airport were limited to 10 per hour.
- When
- 29 October 2026. ANSA reported the limit was to apply until 21:00.
- Where
- The airspace around Mount Etna and Catania airport in Sicily, Italy.
- Why
- Continued volcanic ash emissions raised concerns about aircraft safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Etna’s activity was described in the INGV weekly bulletin as degassing at variable rates, with no explosive activity.
INGV issued its weekly bulletin covering the period from 19 to 25 October.
The aviation alert rose from orange to red as ash emissions continued.
Airspace sector B1 was closed and Catania airport arrivals were limited to 10 per hour.
- Alert code
- Raised from orange to red
- Airspace sector
- B1 closed
- Catania arrivals
- Maximum of 10 per hour
- Restriction end time
- 21:00, according to ANSA
- Ash plume height
- About 4 kilometres above sea level, according to Montagna.TV
3 sources
What people are saying
activity of degassing at variable rates at the summit craters