Mount Etna Erupts: Hundreds of Flights Canceled in Sicily
Spectacular lava flows descend the slopes of Europe's most active volcano as Catania airport grapples with smoke and ash
Spectacular lava flows descend the slopes of Europe's most active volcano as Catania airport grapples with smoke and ash
The eruption of Mount Etna, Europe's largest and most active volcano, has led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights in Sicily, with spectacular lava flows illuminating the night sky and drawing onlookers. According to The New York Times, tens of thousands of travelers have had their travel plans disrupted over the past week.
Catania airport is facing serious difficulties as smoke and ash from the crater spread across the area, leading to flight suspensions. Corriere della Sera reports that passengers at the airport are bearing the brunt of the eruption, with cancellations piling up by the hour.
An expert cited in The New York Times report notes that Etna erupts frequently, but typically does not release such a large amount of ash. It is this unusually high volume of ash that is the key reason for the mass flight cancellations.
Italian news agency ANSA reports that the lava front has descended to an altitude of 1,300 meters. This is a significant shift indicating the intensity of the current eruption, with lava flows continuing to move down the volcano's slopes.
Corriere della Sera notes that long, thick rivers of lava have become a real attraction for hikers and backpackers, as well as volcanologists who are filling social media with photos and videos of the ongoing eruption. The video content was published by CorriereTv on August 12, 2026.
Despite the air travel disruptions, Mount Etna's eruption continues to capture the attention of both locals and tourists. Footage of glowing lava cascading down the volcano's slopes has gone viral, with the scene particularly striking in the evening hours as red light illuminates the surrounding hillsides.
Mount Etna is located in Sicily, an Italian region that, due to its proximity to Croatia, is a frequent destination for Croatian tourists. Although this eruption has no direct impact on Croatia, air travel disruptions could affect travelers passing through Catania en route to other destinations.
