What You Need to Know
• Mount Etna’s ongoing volcanic activity has led to the closure of Vincenzo Bellini Airport in Sicily.
• Flights at the airport will remain suspended until at least 2pm local time on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
• More than a third of the 1,974 flights were canceled due to the eruption, affecting hundreds of travelers.
Continuing volcanic activity from Mount Etna has forced the closure of Vincenzo Bellini Airport, Sicily’s busiest airport, on Friday, August 14, 2026. Authorities announced that flights would remain suspended until at least 2pm local time (12:00 GMT) on Saturday, as ash from the volcano has caused significant disruption, the worst in over two decades. The eruption has resulted in the cancellation of more than a third of the 1,974 flights scheduled between Thursday of last week and Wednesday of this week, with an additional 600 flights diverted. Hundreds of passengers are currently stranded, waiting for updates on their travel plans during the peak travel week of the year.
Why It Matters
Mount Etna is Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, located approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Catania, where the airport is situated. The ongoing eruptions have raised concerns about the viability of having a major airport so close to an active volcano. Historically, volcanic eruptions can severely disrupt air travel, as seen in previous incidents, leading to significant economic impacts on tourism and transportation. The Italian train company Trenitalia has responded to the flight cancellations by adding additional trains to accommodate stranded passengers.
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