Mount Etna volcanic ash stops flights at Sicily’s Catania airport

All flights have been suspended from one of Italy’s busiest airports because of volcanic ash released from nearby Mount Etna.

It is the second time in recent months that Catania International Airport, on the island of Sicily, has stopped flights due to emissions from Etna, which is Europe’s tallest active volcano and erupts frequently.

Airport officials said arrivals and departures, which were first halted on Monday, would be suspended until 22:00 (20:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

Ongoing activity at Etna prompted the INGV Etneo Observatory to issue a red aviation alert on Monday.

In a statement on its website on Tuesday, Catania – Italy’s fifth-busiest airport by passenger traffic – said further updates would follow.

It also advised passengers due to fly from Catania to check with their airline for updates before travelling to the airport.

Catania, which usually serves about 12 million passengers each year, was closed for almost a week during the peak summer season last month because of volcanic activity.

There have been calls for the airport to shut and other facilities in Sicily to be expanded because of its proximity to Etna.

The volcano, which stands at 3,324 metres (10,906ft), is about 40km (25 miles) away from the airport.

Despite air traffic disruption, August’s eruption drew large crowds of onlookers to Etna’s lava flows. About 1.5 million people visit Etna every year.