Flights at Catania airport in Sicily faced another suspension on Wednesday due to fresh ash emissions from Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and most active volcano. This led to extended airspace restrictions, disrupting travel during the peak summer holiday season. The impact of the eruption was not limited to Sicily, as neighboring Malta experienced flight cancellations and significant delays due to volcanic ash drifting south across the Mediterranean.

Mount Etna frequently disrupts operations at Catania airport, which serves as Sicily’s main gateway and is Italy’s fifth busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic. Recent volcanic activities have had a notable impact on travelers, with lava flows and smoke seen rising from the crater during the eruptions on July 5 and 6.

Satellite imagery captured smoke spreading from Mount Etna on Tuesday, while drone footage showed lava flowing down a slope during the eruption. Travel disruptions have plagued eastern Sicily since the previous week when volcanic activity and changing winds started carrying ash across the region. Stranded passengers were seen waiting at the terminal following the closure of Catania airport due to the ash cloud from Mount Etna.

Although conditions seemed to be improving on Wednesday, Malta International Airport continued to caution passengers about potential disruptions. The prolonged restrictions at Catania airport have increased pressure on other airports in Sicily. Palermo Mayor Roberto Lagalla mentioned that the city’s airport had accommodated 190 flights initially scheduled for Catania in recent days. Comiso airport, a smaller facility south of Catania, which had been absorbing tourist season traffic, resumed full operations after suspending flights on Tuesday evening due to ash from Mount Etna.