Mount Etna Erupts Again, Shutting Down Flights at a Major Sicily Airport

If you are supposed to fly through Catania, Sicily, today, you may be staying longer than planned. Mount Etna began sending ash into the air again on Monday, Sept. 14, and Catania Airport eventually halted all flights.

The first announcement only affected arriving planes, but the volcanic activity continued. Departures were later stopped too, and the shutdown remained in place overnight.

Flights were still not moving on Tuesday. In an update posted at noon, the airport said it would remain closed until at least 10 p.m. local time on Sept. 15.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean flights are guaranteed to start again at 10 p.m. Passengers are being told to check with their airline before packing their bags and going to the airport.

No Flights Are Leaving Until at Least 10 P.M.

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According to Catania Airport, ash forced parts of the airspace around the airport to close. Arrivals were initially suspended until 4 p.m. on Monday. By 1:15 p.m., the airport had stopped both arrivals and departures until 10 p.m.

The closure continued Tuesday morning and was first expected to last until 2:30 p.m. A few hours later, the airport pushed that time back to 10 p.m.

The Ash Cloud Reached Approximately 13,100 Feet

The Etna Volcano Observatory raised the aviation color code from orange to red early Monday. At the time, the ash cloud was moving south. Its top was estimated to be approximately 4,000 meters, or 13,100 feet, above sea level.

The observatory used visible and thermal cameras to watch the ash coming from the volcano. The lava doesn’t have to get anywhere near the airport to stop planes. The Federal Aviation Administration warns that volcanic ash can damage engines, affect instruments, and make it difficult for pilots to see.

Ash on the runway is another problem. Even a thin layer can make it harder for a plane to stop after landing.

Check With Your Airline Before Leaving

Catania Airport is asking passengers to contact their airline before going there. Your airline should be able to tell you if your flight was canceled, delayed, or moved.

You can also check the airport’s online flight tracker for changes. However, you will still need to speak with your airline about a new flight or any other options. The airport plans to share more updates as conditions change.