Mount Etna ash shuts Catania Airport as 700 flights are canceled across Sicily

Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) in Sicily will remain closed until the early hours of August 14, 2026, due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna. Approximately 700 flights have been canceled impacting air travel throughout the region. The closure is a direct result of hazardous conditions created by the ongoing eruption of Mount Etna. Authorities are assessing the situation and determining when it’s safe for aircraft operations to resume at CTA. This disruption highlights the vulnerability of aviation to natural events and underscores the importance of monitoring volcanic activity.