Etna's ash cloud grounds Catania flights for second week

Mount Etna continued its eruption on Monday, sending volcanic ash high into the sky above eastern Sicily and forcing the closure of Catania Airport through at least Tuesday, according to the Mirror and Ynetnews. The airport, Sicily's second-busiest hub, has diverted incoming flights to Palermo, stranding passengers and upending the summer travel season for the island. Israeli vacationers heading to Sicily were among those affected, with Israir passengers experiencing delays as the airline rerouted services.

The eruption marks the volcano's tenth consecutive day of activity, according to Ynetnews, and reflects Mount Etna's status as Europe's most active volcano. The closure of Catania Airport—a critical node for tourism and regional connectivity—compounds the strain on Sicily's summer economy, already stretched by heat stress and the demands of mass tourism. Palermo's airport, serving the western side of the island, has absorbed the overflow, though its capacity to handle sustained diversions remains limited.