Mount Etna erupted on 26 September, sending an ash column about 4 kilometres high toward the south, which forced Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) to suspend all arrivals and departures until 12:00 local time on 27 September.
Airport operator SAC closed airspace sectors C1 and B3; at least ten flights were diverted – five to Palermo (PMO), three to Trapani (TPS) and two to Comiso (CIY) – and a Delta Air Lines New York‑Catania service was rerouted to Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
KM Malta Airlines cancelled flights KM642 and KM643, Brussels Airlines cancelled its Catania‑Brussels flight and diverted another to Palermo with passengers continuing by bus, while TUI fly Belgium also rerouted via Palermo.
