Catania Airport temporarily closed due to Etna ash

Due to large amounts of volcanic ash escaping from Mount Etna, Catania Airport in Sicily has been temporarily closed to all air traffic. Aeroporto Fontanarossa said all takeoffs and landings had been canceled until 4 p.m. In addition, a strong thunderstorm during the night had an impact on air traffic.

At 3,324 meters high, Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. It has been erupting regularly for at least 500,000 years. Ash is currently emerging from the northeast crater and is being carried south by the wind. According to the Italian Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the cloud reaches four kilometers into the sky.

As was the case last week and also in August, the red warning level currently applies to air traffic. This is the highest of four levels. The airport is also used by numerous tourists who want to vacation on Italy's largest Mediterranean island.