The eruption of the Mount Etna volcano in Sicily has forced the closure of nearby Catania airport because of the plumes of ash billowing into the sky, airport officials said.
Twenty-one scheduled departures from the airport had to be scrapped and 26 arrivals re-routed to alternative destinations. The smaller airport of Comiso in the area was also closed down.
The company that manages Catania airport, Sac, said in a statement on Sunday that “the wind direction and intensity” meant the ash was a risk to flights and it had to close off its air space. The company will review the situation on Monday.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/volcanic-eruption-shuts-italy-airport-20131216-hv5vp.html#ixzz2neHqjWVm