AI-written summary synthesised from 2 independent reports, listed below. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the originals.
ABSTRACT

Flights at Catania airport in Sicily were suspended on Wednesday due to ash from Mount Etna, with airport operator SAC announcing the closure would remain in place until 2 a.m. local time on 14 August. The disruption, which has forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled or rerouted, is occurring during the peak summer holiday season and has affected thousands of passengers.

CBC News

Catania airport suspends flights as Mount Etna ash disruption extends into second week

Catania airport suspends flights as Mount Etna ash disruption extends into second week
Aug 12, 2026, 10:38 AM

Flights at Catania airport in Sicily were suspended on Wednesday due to ash from Mount Etna, with airport operator SAC announcing the closure would remain in place until 2 a.m. local time on 14 August. The disruption, which has forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled or rerouted, is occurring during the peak summer holiday season and has affected thousands of passengers.

Context

Mount Etna, described by both sources as Europe's highest and most active volcano, frequently causes disruptions at Catania airport, which is Italy's fifth-busiest by passenger traffic.

According to The Straits Times, the current period of volcanic activity began on 6 August and has continued in a sustained manner over the following week.

According to CBC News, the effects of the latest eruption extended beyond Sicily, with flight cancellations and significant delays reported overnight in neighbouring Malta as volcanic ash drifted south across the Mediterranean.

The Straits Times reported that the prolonged restrictions have placed additional pressure on Sicily's other airports. Passengers were advised by SAC to check the status of their flights with their airlines before travelling to the airport.

According to The Straits Times, airport operator SAC launched the sale of a stake of at least 51% in the airport in May.

All Perspectives
Marco Viccaro, Italian Volcanological Association: According to The Straits Times, Viccaro, president of the Italian Volcanological Association, said the activity at Etna, which began on 6 August, is more energetic than previous episodes and is continuing in a sustained way. He added: 'This suggests that deeper, gas-rich magma is playing a more active role, making the fragmentation process more efficient and leading to increased ash production, which is severely disrupting air traffic to and from Catania airport.'
SAC (Catania airport operator): According to The Straits Times, SAC issued a statement late on Wednesday confirming all arrivals and departures would be suspended through 2 a.m. local time on 14 August, and advising passengers to check the status of their flights with their airlines before travelling to the airport.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The precise total number of flights cancelled or passengers affected is not specified beyond 'hundreds of flights' and 'thousands of passengers'.
  • The current alert level assigned to Etna by Italian or European aviation authorities is not stated in either source.
  • No timeline is given for when full operations at Catania airport may resume after 14 August.
  • Neither source details what measures, if any, Italian authorities or airlines are taking to accommodate stranded passengers.
  • The specific other Sicilian airports absorbing diverted traffic are not named.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. CBC News — original
  2. The Straits Times — by The Straits Times

Read the original at CBC News

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