Flight operations at Catania Airport (CTA) are facing renewed restrictions on Monday, August 17, as ongoing eruptive activity at Mount Etna continues to release volcanic ash into the atmosphere.
Airspace corresponding to Sectors B1 and B2 has been closed, forcing the airport to limit incoming traffic during the first part of the day.
Arrivals are currently restricted to five aircraft per hour until 2:00 PM local time, while departures from Catania are operating without restrictions.
The latest measures come just two days after the airport resumed flights following a downgrade in Mount Etna’s volcanic aviation alert. The eruption has caused widespread disruption at Catania throughout August, with hundreds of flights cancelled or diverted during the peak summer travel period.
Catania Airport Limits Arrivals to Five Flights Per Hour
The restrictions were announced in an update issued at 8:00 AM on August 17.
Catania Airport said:
“Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to Sectors B1 and B2 has been closed. Arriving flights are limited to 5 aircraft per hour until 2:00 PM today, Monday 17 August. There are no restrictions on departures.”
The measures mean Catania Airport remains operational, but its capacity to receive incoming aircraft is significantly reduced.
Departures From Catania Remain Unrestricted
Unlike some of the more severe restrictions imposed earlier in August, departing flights are not currently affected by the latest airspace closures.
However, reduced arrival capacity can still have knock-on effects across airline schedules, particularly if aircraft scheduled to operate subsequent outbound services are delayed.
The airport is continuing to monitor volcanic and weather conditions, with further updates expected during the day.
Passengers Advised to Check Flights Before Going to the Airport
Passengers travelling to or from Catania on August 17 should check the latest status of their flight directly with their airline before travelling to the airport.
The airport added:
“Passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport. Further updates will follow in the coming hours.”
Travellers should therefore not assume that an individual flight will operate according to its original schedule simply because the airport remains open.
Mount Etna Continues to Disrupt Catania Flights
The August 17 restrictions are the latest in a series of operational changes caused by Mount Etna’s current eruptive phase.
Volcanic activity has repeatedly affected Catania Airport since early August, at times forcing the suspension of both arrivals and departures. Between August 6 and 12, more than a third of nearly 2,000 scheduled flights were cancelled and around 630 were diverted, according to figures reported by Reuters.
On August 15, Catania Airport was able to restart arriving and departing flights after the volcanic aviation alert was downgraded from red to orange.
The renewed closure of Sectors B1 and B2 on Monday illustrates how quickly operating conditions can change while Etna continues to emit ash.
Volcanic ash represents a significant aviation hazard because particles can damage aircraft systems and, in sufficiently concentrated clouds, affect jet engines.
Passengers with flights scheduled through Catania on August 17 should continue monitoring airline and airport updates throughout the day as authorities reassess conditions around Mount Etna.
