Overview
- The volcano produced a lava fountain from the Voragine crater Friday, sending an ash plume southeast that led Italy’s observatory system to issue a VONA red alert for airborne ash.
- Catania‑Fontanarossa halted incoming flights and diverted or canceled several services including named connections from Rome, Naples and New York with operators later extending the arrival suspension into the afternoon.
- Airport operator SAC and airlines advised passengers to check flight status while Trenitalia ran special trains to move stranded travelers between Palermo and Catania.
- INGV reported a marked rise in volcanic tremor starting Thursday evening centered near Voragine at about 2,900–3,000 meters but so far no exceptional ground deformation or unusual seismic signals have been detected.
- Nearby Stromboli also showed heightened activity with small lava overflows into the Sciara del Fuoco, raising broader regional watchfulness for further ash-related travel disruption during the summer peak.