Etna's ash closes Catania airport for fifth day at peak of summer travel

Mount Etna's ongoing volcanic activity has closed Sicily's largest airport for a fifth consecutive day, stranding hundreds of summer holiday travellers during the busiest travel week of the year, according to France 24. Catania's airport will remain closed until early August 15, the outlet reported, as Europe's largest active volcano continues to spew lava and volcanic ash.

Al Jazeera reported that flights will be suspended until at least Saturday afternoon, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded. Deutsche Welle noted that the eruption has disrupted travel during the peak summer holiday season, while the New York Times said tens of thousands of travellers' plans have been disrupted in the past week.

The New York Times quoted an expert saying that while Etna erupts often, it usually does not release this much ash. Euronews reported that tourists are flocking to the volcano to witness the eruption despite safety warnings from local guides.

The closure comes at the worst possible moment for Italian tourism, as Ferragosto weekend — the traditional peak of the Italian summer holiday season — brings some of the heaviest traffic and travel of the year, according to The Local Italy's warnings from Italy's motorway operator. The convergence of the volcanic disruption with the holiday rush has amplified the impact on travellers across the country.

For the Valle d'Aosta bureau, the contrast is stark. While Sicily's skies are choked with volcanic ash, the Alpine region's own high-altitude environment faces a different kind of climate stress. The international coverage of Etna's eruption — with its focus on disrupted travel, stranded holidaymakers and the tension between tourism and natural hazards — echoes themes familiar to those who live and work in Italy's mountain regions, where fragile ecosystems and seasonal economies are similarly exposed to the forces of nature.

The New York Times report noted that Etna's frequent eruptions usually do not produce such heavy ash fall, suggesting this event is unusual even for the notoriously active volcano. Euronews footage showed hikers watching molten lava spew from the volcano, a spectacle that has drawn tourists despite the disruption to air travel.

Al Jazeera's report confirmed the airport would remain closed until at least Saturday afternoon, with no immediate word on when full operations might resume. The repeated closures have raised questions about the resilience of Sicily's transport infrastructure during peak season, a concern that resonates in other parts of Italy where summer travel is a lifeline for local economies.