Etna paroxysmal eruption closes Catania airspace repeatedly, diverts 22 flights on 7 August

Eruption dynamics

Mount Etna entered a new paroxysmal phase on the evening of 6 August, with a lava fountain at the Voragine crater and an eruptive ash cloud dispersing toward the south-southwest. The volcanic tremor began increasing sharply around 21:00 on 6 August, with the source localised at the Voragine crater at an elevation of approximately 2,900 to 3,000 metres above sea level from 21:15 onward. The tremor reached its maximum amplitude around 23:30 before decreasing, though it remained in the high-value range. The lava fountain intensified through the night until about 04:00 on 7 August, then progressively attenuated. Strong Strombolian activity continued at the Voragine crater, producing an eruptive cloud directed south-southwest with ashfall reported in the towns of Ragalna, Adrano, and Paterno. Loud booms accompanied the eruption. A new eruptive vent opened in the Valle del Bove at an elevation of approximately 2,750 metres, emitting a lava flow confined to the summit areas of the volcano. Lava flows were also present in the Valle del Leone. The INGV Osservatorio Etneo di Catania monitored the activity in real time, noting that Etna is the most closely monitored volcano in the world and the largest active volcano in Europe.

Airport disruption

The eruption's ash cloud directly affected operations at Catania's Vincenzo Bellini international airport. The INGV Osservatorio Etneo issued a VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation) at the maximum red level, prompting the Sac crisis unit to suspend arriving flights multiple times throughout 7 August. Arrivals were first suspended until 12:00, then the closure was extended to 16:00 as the paroxysmal phase continued. Operations were briefly restored around late morning, with all flight activities in departure and arrival reinstated, before a second closure was ordered due to further volcanic activity, suspending arrivals again until 21:00. Departures of aircraft already present at the airport continued throughout. The regional Civil Protection assessed the situation as ongoing.

The eruptive activity of Etna remains in evolution, with possible further emissions of volcanic ash and consequent difficulties for air traffic.

Diverted flights and passenger assistance

Three arriving flights were initially diverted: a Ryanair service from Rome Fiumicino diverted to Palermo, an easyJet service from Naples diverted to Palermo, and a Delta Air Lines service from New York diverted to Rome Fiumicino. Later in the day, approximately 10 flights were diverted to Trapani and about 12 to Palermo. Assistance was prepared for roughly 900 passengers at Trapani. Trenitalia arranged extraordinary train connections to help stranded passengers: a 500-seat train departing Palermo Airport at 09:15 toward Catania via Messina, and later a 550-seat train departing Palermo Airport Punta Raisi at 13:10, also bound for Catania via Messina. The civil protection system remained on alert from the previous night, with volunteer organisations ready to support passengers at the airports.

Alert level and ground conditions

By mid-afternoon on 7 August, the aviation alert level over the Etna area was lowered from red to orange. Many roads on the slopes of Etna were covered in volcanic ash, and authorities urged particular caution while driving. The Sac advised passengers not to travel to the airport without first checking their flight status with their airline, and to consult the Trenitalia website for updates on extraordinary rail connections. Ground surveys were underway to assess the new eruptive vent and lava flows.