Flights to Sicily's Catania Stopped Due to Etna Volcano Ash

The airport in the Sicilian city of Catania on Thursday temporarily stopped all flights due to strong volcanic activity at Mount Etna.

A thick smoke column about 9 kilometres high was visible above the volcano after a spectacular eruption at its south-eastern crater, according to news agency ANSA.

The airport said it was continuing to function but take-offs and landings had been paused for now, according to ANSA.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology earlier issued a warning for the air space near Etna.

It is not uncommon for Catania's airport to pause its activities, as Etna repeatedly spews smoke, ash and lava. Since February, the 3,300-metre-tall mountain has erupted 17 times, according to reports.

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