Mount Etna Eruption Closes Catania Airport, Grounding Hundreds of Flights

Ongoing eruptions from Mount Etna in Sicily have forced officials to close Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA), impacting the plans of thousands of travelers during Europe’s peak summer holiday travel season.

The eruptions began in early August, and the current surge that triggered the closure began last week. Volcanic ash initially caused major flight disruptions on August 9 and 10 before worsening conditions grounded all traffic this week.

The airport is set to remain closed through at least 2:00 a.m. local time on Friday, August 14, though authorities warn that the shutdown could be extended if ash production continues.

So far, approximately 700 arrivals and departures have been canceled, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. More than 250 flights have been forced to divert to alternative airports across Sicily, including over 100 to Comiso, 50 to Palermo, and 22 to Trapani. Palermo is a 3 to 4 hour drive across the island from Catania, while the trip from Comiso is roughly half the time and distance.

Etna forced similar short-term closures in July 2024, August 2024, and June 2025, as well as an earlier brief shutdown in early July 2026.