Etna's Ash Shuts Catania Airport for Fifth Day at Peak of Summer

Mount Etna's relentless eruption has shut Sicily's largest airport for the fifth consecutive day, grounding hundreds of summer holidaymakers during the busiest travel week of the year, according to France 24. Catania's airport will remain closed until early August 15, with flights suspended until at least Saturday afternoon, Al Jazeera reported, leaving travellers scrambling for alternatives.

The volcano, Europe's largest active one, has been spewing lava and volcanic ash that has drifted across the island and beyond, forcing authorities to halt operations repeatedly. Deutsche Welle noted that the eruption has disrupted travel during the peak summer holiday season, when thousands of visitors pass through Sicily's main gateway each day.

The New York Times reported that hundreds of flights have been canceled and tens of thousands of travellers' plans disrupted in the past week, with an expert noting that while Etna erupts often, it usually does not release this much ash.