Etna ash eruption disrupts flights at Sicily airport

Flights to Catania Airport in Sicily have been disrupted due to the large amount of ash emitted from Mount Etna, SAC airport operating company said.

SAC said airspace in a specific area affected by the ash cloud was closed until 19:00 on Sunday.

The airport said only five flights per hour will be allowed to land at the airport until 9pm.

The operating company called on passengers to check the status of their flights with their airlines before going to the airport.

Etna began spewing ash early Sunday morning, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV).

Activity then increased and a cloud formed that rose approximately 1.5 km above the summit.

INGV said that the ash is expected to be carried southward by wind in the coming hours.

Catania is located south of Mount Etna.

Catania Airport’s website showed a number of cancellations, with some flights delayed and others diverted to Palermo.