Italy : Mt. Etna’s Volcanic Activity Disrupts Air Traffic at Catania Airport

Volcanic activity at Mt. Etna has caused disruptions to air traffic at Catania Airport in southern Italy, the airport announced on Monday. The southeast airspace has been closed until 6:30 pm local time (1730 GMT), while departures from the airport remain unaffected. Passengers are advised to check with airlines for flight updates.

The airport also reported temporary air sector shutdowns on Sunday. In the past 24 hours, 32 flights have been diverted, with some airlines canceling both domestic and international flights.

Mt. Etna, one of Italy’s most active volcanoes, has shown increased activity for the past week, with lava seeping from a crack on the southern slope of the crater. This activity has since intensified, with the volcano now emitting clouds of volcanic ash. Despite its frequent eruptions, Mt. Etna remains a popular tourist destination.