Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy, has erupted, sending a 4-kilometre ash cloud into the airspace and forcing Catania Airport to suspend operations. The disruption has now entered its third consecutive day, with flights to and from the destination cancelled or delayed.
Red warning in force
The suspension has been extended until 11.59pm tonight (September 28). The ash cloud, emitted from the north-east crater, was seen moving towards Catania, leading to the closure of two airspace sectors.
Following the latest eruption, a red flight warning is in force - the highest level of alert on a scale of four. Passengers flying to and from Catania Airport have been urged to check the status of their flight before travelling to the airport, according to The Express.
Impact on flights
Several flights have been cancelled for tourists, including services to and from UK destinations. Volcanic ash can pose a serious danger to aircraft, which is why eruptions can lead to widespread flight cancellations even when airports themselves are not directly threatened by lava.
The tiny, abrasive particles can be sucked into jet engines, where they can damage components and potentially cause engines to lose power. Ash can also affect aircraft instruments, reduce visibility and make runways more slippery, particularly when the ash is wet.
Aviation safety concerns
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that flying into a volcanic ash cloud can be “exceedingly dangerous” and says avoiding encounters with ash is the most important precaution. Volcanic ash clouds can also be difficult for pilots to spot and are not normally detected by airborne or air traffic control radar.
