ITALY — Etna erupts again, Catania airport suspends flights

ROME, September 14 /ATSH-ANSA/ — Flights at Catania airport were suspended again today due to volcanic ash released by Mount Etna’s ongoing activity, said SAC, the company that runs the Sicilian airport.

Initially, all incoming flights were suspended until 4:00 PM local time, or 14:00 GMT. Catania airport is Italy’s fifth-busiest by passenger numbers.

Later, airport operator SAC announced via a Facebook post that the suspension would be extended until 22:00 and would also include departing flights.

Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest and one of its most active volcanoes, frequently disrupts air traffic in Catania.

However, ash emissions have been especially dense this summer, affecting thousands of travelers during peak tourist season.