Mount Etna's ongoing eruption has forced the cancellation or diversion of hundreds of flights at Catania-Fontanarossa airport in Sicily [1].

The disruption threatens the region's primary air gateway during a peak travel period, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and forcing diversions to other Sicilian airports [2].

Flight disruptions began on Aug. 8 [4]. Since then, the volume of cancellations has grown significantly. While some reports describe the number of affected flights as being in the hundreds [1], [2], other reports indicate that nearly 1,000 flights have been cancelled [3].

Civil protection authorities have extended the flight alert until 16:00 on Aug. 13 [1]. The ongoing eruptive activity has produced dense ash clouds and lava flows, which create hazardous conditions for aircraft engines and visibility [2].

At the Vincenzo Bellini airport, also known as Catania-Fontanarossa, the accumulation of volcanic ash on runways and in the air has made operations unsafe. This has led to a state of chaos for travelers, and local transportation networks [1].

"Centinaia di voli cancellati e dirottati a causa dell'eruzione," Rai News said in a video report [1]. The report highlighted the severe impact on airport logistics and the surrounding road infrastructure.

Sky TG24 also said that hundreds of flights have been missed since Aug. 8 due to the volcanic activity [4]. Passengers have been seeking refunds and alternative routes as the eruption continues to destabilize the local airspace.

Local authorities continue to monitor the volcano's activity to determine if the flight ban needs further extension beyond Thursday afternoon.

“Nearly 1,000 flights have been cancelled.”

The recurring instability of Mount Etna highlights the vulnerability of Sicily's aviation infrastructure to natural disasters. Because Catania-Fontanarossa serves as a critical hub for both tourism and commerce, prolonged closures create a ripple effect across European flight schedules and place immense pressure on secondary regional airports to absorb diverted traffic.