SynopsisMount Etna erupted on Saturday, releasing smoke and ashes into the atmosphere. This volcanic activity forced the closure of airspace over the affected region. Consequently, all arriving flights at Catania Airport were suspended until noon local time. Departures of aircraft currently at the airport continued to operate normally. The National Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology monitors the volcano's ongoing eruptive activity.ReutersVolcanic material and fumes rise from Mount Etna during an eruption under a starry sky in Sicily, ItalyMount Etna, one of the world's most active volcanoes, belched smoke and ashes in a new eruption on Saturday, forcing the suspension of arrivals at a nearby airport on Sicily."Due to Etna's eruptive activity and the associated release of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, the airspace corresponding to the cloud (Sector C1) has been closed," Catania airport said in a statement."All arriving flights at Catania Airport are suspended until 12:00 local time (1000 GMT). Departures of aircraft currently at the airport are operating normally," it said.Also Read: US tightens travel rules for people returning from Ebola-hit regionsA plume of smoke could be seen billowing from the summit on a webcam on the website of the National Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology, which monitors Etna.At 3,324 metres (nearly 11,000 feet), Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe and has erupted frequently in the past 500,000 years.Also Read: Akasa Air launches Akasa Elevate loyalty program to boost network expansionAround 12 million passengers transited in 2024 through Catania International Airport, which services the eastern part of Sicily, one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now