00:00Catania's Vincenzo Bellini Airport remains closed for the second consecutive day due
00:06to ash emissions from Mount Etna. The Sicilian Airport announced a closure in a notice posted
00:13on its website in which travellers are also urged to, quote, check with their airline
00:18for the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
00:22While traces of volcanic activity remain visible in the sky, the suspension of all flights
00:28which was initially scheduled to end at noon on Sunday was extended until midnight. According
00:34to media reports, the incident triggered a domino effect at other Sicilian airports which
00:40became congested with diverted aircraft and emergency landings. Transport unions describe
00:47the situation as total chaos, pointing the finger at organisational shortcomings. Mount Etna,
00:54Europe's highest and most active volcano, frequently disrupts flights at Catania, but ash emissions
01:02have been particularly intense this summer, affecting thousands of travellers during the
01:07peak holiday season.
