Catania airport still closed due to Etna ash

Catania. Due to strong volcanic ash emissions from Mount Etna, Catania Airport in Sicily is still closed to arrivals and departures. The ban on all take-offs and landings imposed on Saturday has been extended until midnight on Sunday, the airport announced on its website.

In recent months, the Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa has repeatedly had to be closed or air traffic has been severely restricted due to the volcanic ash from Mount Etna. The volcano on the Italian island is the most active in Europe and continually emits ash.

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 (INGV), the cloud reaches four kilometers into the sky. As was the case last week and again in August, the red warning level currently applies to air traffic. This is the highest of four levels.

Fontanarossa Airport is the largest on the island and the fifth largest in Italy. It is also used by numerous foreigners who want to vacation on Italy's largest Mediterranean island. If Catania is closed, the airlines will take their passengers to the other Sicilian airports such as Palermo or Comiso. Travelers were urged to check the status of their flight with their airline before traveling to the airport.