Catania airport closure extended as Mount Etna ash disrupts flights
Catania airport in Sicily will remain closed until midnight after heavy volcanic ash emissions from Mount Etna forced authorities to extend the shutdown.
Key Takeaways
AIAuthorities at Catania Airport on the Italian island of Sicily have extended the airport's closure to air traffic until midnight today, following a significant increase in volcanic ash emissions from Mount Etna.
The airport operator explained that the ban on takeoffs and landings, which was imposed yesterday, has been extended due to the ongoing ash emissions.
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is frequently closed or subject to flight restrictions because of ash from Mount Etna, one of Europe's most active volcanoes.
Currently, ash from the volcano's northeastern crater is drifting southward, carried by prevailing winds.