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Italy’s Catania airport shuts again as Etna ash halts flights

By Thomson Reuters Sep 14, 2026 | 4:20 AM

ROME, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Flights at Italy’s Catania airport were suspended ​again on Monday ‌due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna’s ongoing activity, the company operating ‌the ​Sicilian hub ⁠said.

All arrivals at ⁠the airport, Italy’s fifth-busiest by passenger traffic, were initially suspended until ​4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT).

Airport operator ⁠SAC later ⁠said in a ​Facebook post that the ​suspension had been extended until ‌10 p.m. (2000 GMT) and would include departing flights.

Mount Etna, Europe’s ⁠highest and most active volcano, frequently disrupts flights at ⁠Catania, ‌but ash emissions ⁠have been particularly ​intense ‌this summer, affecting ​thousands of ⁠travellers during the peak holiday season.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Gavin Jones and Alvise ​Armellini)