Mount Etna released a fresh plume of volcanic ash, prompting an aviation alert in eastern Sicily, according to CataniaToday. The emission was reported on Thursday, 24 September 2026, and drew warnings about air traffic in the area around the volcano.
CataniaToday described the situation as an alert for air traffic. RaiNews went further, reporting a red alert for flights, while La Sicilia also reported a red code issued over the new ash emission.
Even so, the airport serving Catania remained operational, Sky TG24 reported. That means flights were not halted outright despite the ash cloud, though the alert status signaled heightened caution for carriers and controllers.
The reports point to a recurring problem for the region: Etna is one of Europe's most active volcanoes, and its ash plumes can disrupt aviation across eastern Sicily. Separately, Adnkronos reported that ENAC, Italy's civil aviation authority, and INGV, the national institute that monitors volcanoes, have strengthened an agreement aimed at keeping flights safe — a reminder that ash monitoring and air traffic management are handled jointly in Italy.
For now, the picture from the reporting is a volcano emitting ash, a red-level aviation warning, and an airport that has stayed open. What to watch next is whether further emissions occur and whether Catania's airport maintains normal operations or adjusts flight schedules.
