Persistent Etna ash shuts Sicily's busiest airport during peak holiday week

Persistent Etna ash shuts Sicily's busiest airport during peak holiday week

Sicily’s Catania airport, the island’s largest aviation hub, has remained closed due to continuous ash emissions from Mount Etna, with operations suspended through Saturday afternoon. The closure marks the longest emergency disruption since 2002 and occurs during the Ferragosto holiday period, when millions of Italians travel to coastal and mountain destinations. Volcanic ash poses significant hazards to aircraft operations, as fine particles ca…