Etna's ash grounds Catania arrivals as Sicily's summer travel snarls

Mount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, belched smoke and ash in a new eruption on Saturday, forcing the suspension of arrivals at Catania airport on Sicily, according to The Local Italy. The disruption hit at the peak of the summer travel season, when the airport is a primary gateway for tourists heading to the island's eastern coast.

The Local's report, published Saturday morning, said the eruption sent ash into the air that posed a hazard to aircraft, leading authorities to halt arrivals while departures continued to operate. The situation remained fluid as the day progressed, with passengers advised to check with airlines for updates.

For Marche, the story is a reminder of the fragility of Italy's transport network during the summer months. While the region's own airport at Ancona-Falconara is much smaller, it shares the same dependence on clear skies and functioning infrastructure to move visitors and goods along the Adriatic corridor.