Etna, ash emission: air sectors closed and Catania airport blocked

The emission of ash from Etna has caused the closure of two spaces on the volcano, corresponding to sectors C1 and B3, and the suspension of all flight activities at Catania airport, arriving and departing, until 12pm tomorrow. This was announced by SAC, the company that manages the airport, inviting passengers to check the status of their flight with the airlines before going to the airport.

The emission of lava ash from Etna's north-east crater also produces an eruptive cloud 4 kilometers high. The operational coordination unit (NCO), after the closure of the airspace in sector C1, imposed the restriction to zero landings and zero take-offs. The warning issued by the INGV of Catania is in force on Etna for the flight, the Vona (Volcano observatory notice for aviation), red in colour, the highest level of alert on a scale of four.

In a note, SAC, the company that manages Catania airport, specifies that "due to the emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the spaces corresponding to sector C1 have been closed" and that "all flight activities are suspended and invites "passengers, before going to the airport, to check the status of their flight with the airlines".