Catania Airport Suspends Flights Due to Ash Spraying from Mount Etna

The crater in the northeast of Mount Etna Volcano has been spewing ash since yesterday and continues to cause negativities in air transportation.

In the written statement made by SAC company, which manages Catania International Vincenzo Bellini Airport (Fontanarossa), regarding Etna's ash spewing, the following statements were made:

"Following the release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, flight operations have been suspended until 23.59 today (00.59 CEST). Passengers are kindly requested to check the status of their flights with their airlines before arriving at the airport."

As a result of the ash eruption activity that started yesterday at Mount Etna Volcano, a "red" code warning was issued for planes passing through the region due to the ash rising approximately 4 kilometers.

Due to the intense release of ash from the volcano into the atmosphere, domestic and international flights were suspended or limited at Catania Airport, and then the suspension period was gradually updated throughout the day and extended until this morning.

Compared to recent years, a lot of volcanic activity was recorded on Mount Etna, especially in the summer months of this year. The intense volcanic activities in Etna had a negative impact on air transportation, causing disruptions in the plans of many tourists who preferred Sicily for a summer holiday.

Volcanic activities such as intense ash and lava eruptions have been observed in Mount Etna, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, in recent months.