Renewed ash emissions from Mount Etna in Sicily disrupted air travel again, forcing the temporary suspension of flights at Catania Airport and causing cancellations and delays in neighboring Malta.

Catania Airport operator SAC said flights had been temporarily suspended after aviation authorities extended restrictions over an affected section of airspace in eastern Sicily.

Around 190 flights were diverted to Palermo, while volcanic ash drifting southward across the Mediterranean caused cancellations and significant delays in Malta overnight.

Ash cloud disrupts regional air travel

Mount Etna, Europe’s highest and one of its most active volcanoes, frequently disrupts flights at Catania Airport, Sicily’s main gateway and Italy’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic.

The latest disruption has affected eastern Sicily since last week, with renewed volcanic activity and changing winds carrying ash across the region.

The spread of volcanic ash has raised concerns for aviation because ash particles can reduce visibility and damage aircraft engines, prompting authorities to impose temporary airspace restrictions when necessary.(ILKHA)