Mount Etna volcano affects hundreds of flights
Catania airport has been closed due to another eruption of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, on the Italian island of Sicily. The eruption of a large amount of ash and hot rock from the volcano has affected hundreds of flights, with disruptions also being reported in neighboring Malta.
Hundreds of flights affected by Mount Etna eruption
Catania airport in Sicily will remain closed until at least 02:00 local time on August 14 due to the ongoing eruption of Mount Etna. The DPA agency reports that the airport closure may be extended.
The latest eruption of Mount Etna, Europe's most active volcano, has been seriously affecting air travel in Sicily for several days. Hundreds of flight schedules have been changed.
Some flights have been canceled or delayed altogether. Some planes due to land in Catania have been diverted to the airport in the Sicilian capital, Palermo, while others have been diverted to the smaller airport in Comiso.
The situation has also put additional pressure on the island's transport system. Trains are overcrowded as passengers try to reach alternative airports. Some passengers also reported a sharp increase in taxi fares.
The effects of the eruption of Mount Etna are also being felt on air travel on the neighboring island of Malta. According to the Times of Malta, 19 flights were canceled in Malta on August 11. Three more flights were canceled on August 12, and several others were delayed.
Mount Etna has been spewing large amounts of volcanic ash and hot rocks into the air since Friday.
According to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), powerful lava flows are flowing from two vents located at an altitude of 2,360 and 2,750 meters above sea level. Two new lava flows have since appeared.
Volcanic ash poses a particular danger to aviation. When it takes off, aircraft movements may be restricted, flights may be canceled or diverted to other airports. Therefore, the situation at Catania airport is being assessed based on volcanic activity and ash fall.
Etna is the most active volcano in Europe and can erupt several times a year. Its previous period of activity was observed in early July, when a number of flights were canceled in Sicily.