# Etna eruption activity and aviation alert fluctuations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-mount-etna-eruption > Updated: 2026-09-14T07:34:43.000Z. Sources: 595. Developments: 23. Mount Etna’s renewed activity, which began on 26 June 2026, progressed through multiple eruptive phases, including a significant episode on 30-31 July and an intensification on 6 August. The eruption, which lasted from 6 to 16 August, prompted the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) to raise the aviation alert to red, causing severe disruption to Mediterranean air travel. Catania-Fontanarossa Airport faced a prolonged closure, with arrivals suspended for nine days between 7 and 17 August. This period affected an estimated 350,000 passengers through cancellations, rerouting, and delays. Palermo's Falcone Borsellino and Comiso “Pio la Torre” airports served as critical alternatives; Palermo specifically managed 710 additional diverted flights, transporting over 112,000 passengers. Economic impacts are substantial. While trade association Assoesercenti previously estimated tourism losses between 12 and 24 million euros, recent estimates suggest the sector has incurred losses of approximately 22 million euros. A survey by the CNA Siracusa Study Center reported approximately 380,000 euros in direct lost revenue for the province of Siracusa alone, with the catering sector reporting the highest losses. In early September, the INGV reinstated a red VONA (Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation) alert due to ongoing ash emissions from summit craters dispersing toward the south-southwest. Although Catania-Fontanarossa Airport remained operational without generalized flight restrictions, the red alert served as a warning for potential airspace limitations. On 6 September 2026, the INGV lowered the VONA alert from red to orange. While weak ash emissions continue to disperse toward the southwest, experts note the volcano remains highly unpredictable, making it difficult to forecast the duration of eruptive phases or the opening of new vents. ## Claims - The Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) level is currently orange. (disputed by 11 sources) - The Volcanic Observatory (VONA) alert level is at the highest red level. (disputed by 10 sources) - The Etna volcano is experiencing intense explosive and effusive activity. (corroborated by 34 sources) - Mount Etna erupted on 7 August 2026, producing a lava fountain and ash cloud from the Voragine crater. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Arrivals at Catania Airport were suspended until 12:00 local time. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Departures for aircraft already on the ground continued as normal. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Catania-Fontanarossa airport suspended all arrivals and departures until 4:00 PM on Thursday, August 13. (corroborated by 23 sources) - Catania airport flight activities were suspended until 2:00 AM on August 15 due to volcanic ash. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The SAC closed sector C1 (south‑west airspace) because of the ash cloud. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Several flights were diverted to Palermo, Trapani and other airports. (corroborated by 21 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-14: Mount Etna eruption disrupts Catania Airport with 4km ash cloud Mount Etna's eruption has sent a 4km ash cloud into the sky, triggering a red aviation alert and suspending flights at Catania Airport. Many flights have been diverted to Palermo, Comiso, and Trapani. 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-triggers-red-aviation-alert-and-catania-airport-closure ### 2026-09-06: Mount Etna VONA alert lowered to orange amid ongoing ash emissions Mount Etna's VONA alert level has been lowered from red to orange as weak ash emissions continue, though experts warn the volcano's behavior remains unpredictable. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-vona-alert-lowered-to-orange-amid-ongoing-ash-emissions ### 2026-09-05: Taormina tourism grows despite Mount Etna volcanic activity Taormina's tourism figures show growth despite Mount Etna's recent eruptions, as flight restrictions at Catania and Comiso airports are lifted and operations return to full capacity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taormina-tourism-grows-despite-mount-etna-volcanic-activity ### 2026-09-04: Mount Etna triggers red aviation alert due to ash emissions Mount Etna has reached a red VONA aviation alert level due to ash emissions. While ash is dispersing south-southwest, Catania-Fontanarossa Airport remains operational for now. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-triggers-red-aviation-alert-due-to-ash-emissions ### 2026-08-27: Mount Etna eruption disrupts Catania Airport and Sicilian tourism Mount Etna's volcanic activity caused a nine-day closure of Catania Airport, resulting in hundreds of cancelled flights and approximately 380,000 euros in lost revenue for Siracusa's tourism sector. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-disrupts-catania-airport-and-sicilian-tourism ### 2026-08-23: Mount Etna eruption disrupts Sicilian aviation and tourism Mount Etna's eruption caused major aviation disruptions in Sicily, affecting 350,000 passengers and shifting luxury yacht charters to Mallorca. Authorities are now discussing permanent airport upgrades. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-travel-disrupted-by-strikes-and-mount-etna-eruption ### 2026-08-22: Mount Etna ashfall poses respiratory health risks to Sicilian residents Residents near Mount Etna in Sicily face ongoing health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular issues, caused by the inhalation of fine volcanic ash particles from frequent eruptions. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruptions-pose-respiratory-health-risks-to-local-residents ### 2026-08-19: Mount Etna eruptions cause major flight disruptions and economic losses in Sicily Mount Etna's eruptions have caused major flight disruptions in Sicily, affecting 104,000 travelers and causing an estimated 22 million euros in tourism losses. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-resumes-strombolian-activity-and-ash-emissions ### 2026-08-14: Mount Etna eruption disrupts Catania airport and Sicily travel Mount Etna's eruption has caused major disruptions at Catania airport, affecting over 100,000 travelers and causing millions in economic losses due to ash clouds and flight cancellations. 198 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruptions-suspend-flights-at-catania-and-comiso-airports ### 2026-08-12: Mount Etna eruption disrupts Sicilian air travel and tourism Mount Etna's eruption has caused major flight cancellations and airport closures in Sicily, with economic losses for tourism estimated up to 24 million euros as ash clouds disrupt regional travel. 238 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-disrupts-air-traffic-in-sicily ### 2026-08-10: Mount Etna eruptions disrupt flights in Sicily and Malta Mount Etna's eruptions have triggered widespread flight cancellations at Catania and Comiso airports, and disrupted services in Malta, affecting an estimated 30,000 people due to volcanic ash clouds. 129 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-triggers-red-alert-in-sicily-following-explosive-activity ### 2026-08-08: Mount Etna eruptions disrupt Catania Airport flights Mount Etna's ongoing eruptions have caused significant ash emissions and lava flows, leading to multiple flight suspensions at Catania Airport and the diversion of approximately 100 flights to Palermo. 69 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-forces-flight-suspensions-at-catania-airport ### 2026-08-06: Mount Etna eruption suspends arrivals at Catania Airport Mount Etna's eruption on 7 August 2026 caused flight arrivals at Catania Airport to be suspended due to ash clouds. Operations resumed after the VONA alert was downgraded from red to orange. 64 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etna-eruption-disrupts-catania-airport-flights-triggers-extra-train-services ### 2026-07-30: Mt. Etna eruption sends 7‑km ash plume and piroclastic flow Mt. Etna’s Voragine crater emitted a piroclastic flow and a 7‑km ash plume on 30‑31 July 2026, with ash falling on Bronte, tremor peaks, and aviation alerts lowered to orange. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etna-eruption-sends-ash-plume-7-km-high-and-triggers-aviation-red-alert ### 2026-07-17: Mount Etna eruption intensifies as global volcanic activity rises Mount Etna’s eruption intensified in early July 2026, with renewed ash and gas emissions, as new unrest was reported at five volcanoes worldwide and ongoing activity continued at 23 others. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-intensifies-ash-plume-rises-in-july-2026 ### 2026-07-08: Mount Etna eruption sends sulfur plume across Mediterranean to North Africa Satellite images show Mount Etna’s July 7 eruption sent a sulfur dioxide plume across the Mediterranean, reaching Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt. Concentrations are moderate and aloft, posing limited health‑ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-sends-sulfur-plume-across-mediterranean-to-north-africa ### 2026-07-08: Renato Schifani praises emergency response to Etna eruption at Catania airport Mount Etna’s July 7 eruption shut Catania airport, prompting a coordinated civil‑protection effort that assisted roughly 40,000 stranded travelers with buses, water, shelters and stretchers, praised by Sicily’s 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/renato-schifani-praises-emergency-response-to-etna-eruption-at-catania-airport ### 2026-07-06: Ryanair passengers stranded after Etna eruption shuts Catania airport Etna’s eruption shut Catania airport, leaving >1,000 Ryanair passengers stranded and prompting consumer group ADOC to consider legal action for inadequate assistance. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ryanair-flight-disruptions-in-sicily-and-italy-leave-passengers-stranded ### 2026-07-06: Mount Etna eruption shuts Catania airport, suspends dozens of flights Etna’s ash plume halted Catania airport, canceling 130 flights and diverting 50; emergency buses and trains were organized, and the airport reopened after the alert dropped from red to orange. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catania-airport-shut-down-after-etna-eruption-disrupts-sicily-flights ### 2026-07-03: Mount Etna eruption forces Catania airport flight cancellations Mount Etna erupted on 5 July 2026, prompting a red aviation alert and the temporary closure of Catania airport’s airspace; arrivals were halted, departures limited to five per hour, and many flights were cancel 81 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etna-eruption-forces-partial-airspace-closure-at-catania-airport ### 2026-07-01: Etna volcano eruptions send lava flows and ash clouds over Sicily Etna volcano on Sicily erupted again, sending lava down its slopes and producing the largest ash clouds in years; an orange aviation warning was issued but Catania airport flights remain unaffected. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/etna-volcano-eruptions-send-lava-flows-and-ash-clouds-over-sicily ### 2026-07-01: Mount Etna erupts, lava flows illuminate Sicily sky Mount Etna erupted on Sicily, sending orange lava down its slopes. No major ash cloud, aviation alert stays orange, and authorities report no evacuations or damage. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-erupts-lava-flows-illuminate-sicily-sky ### 2026-06-26: Mount Etna eruption begins June 26 2026 with modest lava flow Mount Etna erupted on 26 June 2026, generating a small lava flow toward Valle del Leone and brief strombolian activity, with no immediate danger to nearby towns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mount-etna-eruption-begins-june-26-2026-with-modest-lava-flow --- Cite as: Etna eruption activity and aviation alert fluctuations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-mount-etna-eruption