Italy's Catania airport shuts again as Etna ash halts flights

Flights at Italy's Catania airport were suspended again on Monday due to volcanic ash from Mount Etna's ongoing activity, the company operating the Sicilian hub said.

All arrivals at the airport, Italy's fifth-busiest by passenger traffic, were initially suspended until 4 pm local time (1400 GMT).

Airport operator SAC later said in a Facebook post that the suspension had been extended until 10 pm (2000 GMT) and would include departing flights.

Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano, frequently disrupts flights at Catania, but ash emissions have been particularly intense this summer, affecting thousands of travellers during the peak holiday season.