Catania Airport in Sicily has suspended all inbound flights after ash from Mount Etna’s latest eruption spread into nearby airspace
All arriving flights to one of Italy’s busiest airports have been grounded this morning and will remain halted well into the afternoon.
Catania Airport in Sicily suspended all inbound flights following ash from Mount Etna’s latest eruption drifting into neighbouring airspace.
The suspension is currently scheduled to stay in effect until 5pm local time today (August 10). Travellers have been advised to verify their flight status before departing, with carriers including Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways and Wizz Air amongst those operating today.
The disruption follows Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology confirming Mount Etna’s latest eruption was ongoing, with multiple lava flows documented, reports the Express.
Its aviation alert for the volcano stands at red, the highest warning level, owing to the threat volcanic ash poses to aircraft. Restrictions had originally permitted a limited number of aircraft to touch down at Catania, with arrivals restricted to five per hour until 6am.
Authorities subsequently decided to halt incoming flights completely. Airport operator SAC confirmed a section of airspace to the south-west of Mount Etna had been shut owing to the ash cloud.
It stated: “Due to Etna’s eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the ash cloud southwest of the volcano (Sector C1) has been closed. Arrivals are suspended until 5.00 PM.”
The operator stated the disruption was significantly affecting airport operations and urged travellers to check with their airline prior to departure.
It added: “The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions.”
Catania stands as Sicily’s busiest airport and ranks as the fifth busiest in Italy. Mount Etna, amongst the globe’s most active volcanoes, frequently causes interruptions to flights serving the airport. Meanwhile, Palermo Airport, situated on Sicily’s opposite coast, appears to be functioning normally.
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