Volcanic ash from Mount Etna forces Catania airport to remain closed for a third consecutive day.

What it means

This is a live news story from late September 2026: Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, has been emitting ash for several days, forcing Catania Airport (CTA) in Sicily to suspend all flights for a third consecutive day on 28 September. Ash clouds are a hazard to aviation because fine volcanic particles can damage jet engines and reduce visibility, so airport operator SAC cancelled or rescheduled nearly all departures and arrivals.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is well supported by multiple credible news agencies, including Reuters and Deutsche Welle, reporting on statements from the airport operator SAC and civil aviation authorities. The underlying event is a volcanic eruption, a physical fact confirmed by monitoring agencies; the reporting is consistent across sources, so the overall claim of a three-day closure due to ash is solid, though specific numbers of flights cancelled may vary.

How new

Genuinely new: this is a current event as of 28 September 2026, with no recirculation year involved.

Go deeper

• The Straits Times — first to publish