The recent ash emissions from Etna have once again led to a partial restriction of air traffic at Catania-Fontanarossa airport in Sicily. The infrastructure only allows the landing of five aircraft per hour until 2:00 PM this Monday, although takeoff operations continue without limitations.
The aerodrome has indicated that it will be updating information on the evolution of the volcanic episode throughout the day and has urged users to check with their airlines the status of their flights, as reported by "DPA".
The operation of Catania airport had returned to normal this past Saturday after the reduction of the volcano's alert level, following a week of operational disruptions that ended with more than 1,000 canceled flights and 100,000 affected passengers.
According to preliminary estimates from the sector's employers' association Assoesercenti, this new interruption of airspace will have an economic impact on tourism estimated between 13 million and 24 million euros.
Etna, at more than 3,300 meters in altitude, registers eruptions periodically and is under constant monitoring. The planning of flights depends both on the intensity of volcanic activity and on the direction of the wind and the level of ash concentration in the atmosphere.