Mount Etna eruption closes Catania airport, strands travellers

Mount Etna erupted on Monday, sending massive plumes of volcanic ash into the sky above Sicily and forcing Catania Airport to suspend operations until Tuesday. According to the Mirror and Daily Express, ash emissions began from the Voragine crater's upper eastern flank in the early morning, intensifying through mid-morning to generate an eruptive cloud that disrupted air traffic across the region. The closure marked the second day of flight cancellations, stranding passengers and forcing airlines to reroute services.

The eruption underscores the volatile geography that defines southern Italy. Etna, Europe's most active volcano, sits at the intersection of tourism, transport and everyday life in Campania's neighbouring region. For travellers heading to or from Naples and the Campanian coast, the Catania disruption ripples outward: alternative routes add hours to journeys, and international visitors face unexpected delays. The ash cloud itself poses a broader hazard—fine volcanic particles can damage aircraft engines and disrupt air quality across the island.