Operations at the airport are hampered by volcanic ash deposited on the runways. The airport concluded that aircraft take-offs and landings in such conditions were unsafe.
The 3,330 metre (10,925 ft) high volcano can burst into spectacular action several times a year, firing lava and ash high over the Mediterranean island. The last major eruption was in 1992.
Cars in the city were covered in a layer of dark gritty dust, images in the Italian media showed.