Flight arrivals suspended at Italian airport after Mount Etna eruption

Flights arriving at Italy's fifth busiest airport have been suspended after volcanic ash from a fresh eruption of Mount Etna drifted into airspace.

Catania airport, the busiest aviation hub on the Italian island of Sicily, has suspended all flights arriving until 5pm on Monday, August 10.

Mount Etna, which towers over Sicily's east coast, is one of the world's most active volcanoes and frequently disrupts air traffic at Catania.

"As the situation is significantly affecting operations, passengers are kindly advised to check the status of their flight with their airline before heading to the airport", operator SAC said on Monday.

“The situation is being constantly monitored, and further updates will be provided depending on the evolution of volcanic activity and weather conditions.”

The airport made the announcement as dozens of flights operated by airlines including Ryanair, Easyjet, ITA, and Wizz Air were scheduled or diverted on Monday morning.

The latest eruptive phase on Europe's highest volcano was continuing from vents at altitudes of 2,750 metres (9,022 ft) and 2,360 metres, feeding several lava flows and creating extensive lava fields, Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) said.

INGV's Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) remained at the highest alert level, red, indicating ongoing hazards for aircraft from ash emissions.

Catania serves some of Europe’s largest airlines, many of which have seen diversions or cancellations amid the volcanic activity from nearby Etna, located only 29 miles away by road.

In July, all flights to and from the airport were cancelled following a similar eruption.

Palermo airport, the island's other major hub located on the northwest coast, was unaffected.