Mount Etna is a volcano in Sicily. It is active again now. The volcano is making problems for air travel. Catania Airport (CTA) must stop all arrivals and departures. Many airlines must divert or cancel their flights.
The airport company is called SAC. On September 26, SAC said this: all flight operations at Catania will stop. They will stop until 12:00 local time on September 27. The reason is volcanic ash and bad wind. Also, two parts of the airspace are closed. They are called sectors C1 and B3.
First, the airport worked with less capacity. The ash cloud was coming closer. Then the airport made the rules stricter. After that, all arrivals and departures stopped completely.
Flights Go to Other Airports
The problems started before the airport closed completely. Airlines began to divert their flights. News in Italy said at least 10 flights diverted. Five flights went to Palermo (PMO). Three flights went to Trapani (TPS). Two flights went to Comiso (CIY).
Aeroitalia changed its Rome-Catania flights to Comiso. They did this because Catania was not available. A Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Catania also diverted. It went to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) instead.
Because of the diversions, some flights could continue. But passengers had problems too. Their travel plans changed. Some passengers needed extra transport on the ground.
Other airlines canceled their flights instead.
KM Malta Airlines canceled flight KM642. This flight was from Malta to Catania. They also canceled flight KM643, from Catania to Malta. Both flights were canceled on September 26 because of the volcano and the airport restrictions.
Brussels Airlines also canceled a flight from Catania to Brussels. This flight was planned for September 26. About 140 passengers had problems. They could not travel until September 27 or 28. Brussels Airlines also diverted another flight to Palermo. Passengers then went to Catania by bus.
A TUI fly Belgium flight also diverted to Palermo.
Etna's Ash Cloud Is 4 Kilometers High
The Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) is a science organization. They said the ash cloud is about 4 kilometers high. The cloud is moving south. Because of this, there is a red Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA). This warning means the ash is still coming from the volcano.
Volcanic ash is very dangerous for aircraft. It can damage engines and other aircraft systems. This is why Catania has restrictions now. The ash cloud and the airspace limits are the reasons.
Nobody knows exactly when flights will start again. It depends on the ash, the wind direction, and the airspace rules. Airlines also need time. They must move their aircraft and crews back to the right places. Then they can restart their normal schedules.