Mount Etna ash suspends arrivals at Italy’s Catania airport

What the report says

Arrivals at Catania Airport in eastern Sicily were suspended on Saturday after Mount Etna released volcanic ash during a new eruption, according to Al Jazeera’s report citing the airport and Italy’s National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology. The airport said the ash cloud had closed the relevant airspace, while departures for aircraft already on the ground continued operating normally. The suspension was set to last until 12:00 local time, or 10:00 GMT.

Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, has been erupting frequently over a long period, and the latest activity again disrupted travel near one of Sicily’s main gateways. Catania airport serves the eastern part of the island, a major tourist area, so even short interruptions can affect visitors and local transport. A webcam monitored by the volcanology institute showed smoke rising from the summit during the eruption.

The article also noted that stricter ash advisories and limits on access around Etna have been in place since last year because of more intense eruptive activity. Those restrictions have previously drawn criticism from tour guides, who say some viewing areas remain safe enough for visitors. The report placed the latest disruption in that broader context of recurring volcanic activity and ongoing debate over how to balance safety with tourism.