Catania Airport Reopens After Mount Etna Alert
The airport in Catania, Sicily, has reopened after being closed because of volcanic ash from Mount Etna. Airport officials said the alert level had dropped enough for flights to depart and arrive safely again.
Ash from an eruption is extremely dangerous for aircraft engines, which is why airports often close during volcanic activity. The INGV, Italy's national institute for geophysics and volcanology, told the TV channel Sky TG24 that there is no longer ash in the atmosphere above the area.
However, the situation remains uncertain. According to reports, Etna's eruptive activity has started again after only a short pause, raising the possibility of further disruption to flights in the coming days.
Alongside the volcano story, there has been controversy over illegal taxis operating near the airport. During the closure, travellers needed alternative transport, and some unlicensed drivers reportedly charged extremely high, record prices for transfers. This has caused public anger and renewed criticism of the lack of controls on unauthorised transport services at the airport.
Local authorities have not yet announced further action regarding either the volcanic alert or the taxi situation, though passengers are being advised to check flight status before travelling to the airport.
Vocabulary10 words
- reopened
- started working again after closing
- Mount Etna
- a large, active volcano in Sicily, Italy
- eruption
- when a volcano sends out ash, smoke, or lava
- INGV
- Italy's official group of scientists who study volcanoes
- atmosphere
- the air around the Earth
- illegal taxis
- taxis working without official permission
- transfer
- a ride, usually from an airport to another place
- unlicensed
- without official legal permission to work
- disruption
- a problem that stops something working normally
- alert level
- an official warning showing how serious a danger is
Quiz
Answer key
1. Because the alert level for Etna had dropped 2. That there was no more ash in the atmosphere 3. It resumed after a short pause
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The airport in Catania, Sicily, has _____ after being closed because of volcanic ash from Mount Etna. Airport officials said the alert level had dropped enough for flights to depart and arrive safely again.
Ash from an _____ is extremely dangerous for aircraft engines, which is why airports often close during volcanic activity. The INGV, Italy's national institute for geophysics and volcanology, told the TV channel Sky TG24 that there is no longer ash in the _____ above the area.
However, the situation remains uncertain. According to reports, Etna's eruptive activity has started again after only a short pause, raising the possibility of further _____ to flights in the coming days.
Alongside the volcano story, there has been controversy over _____ operating near the airport. During the closure, travellers needed alternative transport, and some _____ drivers reportedly charged extremely high, record prices for _____. This has caused public anger and renewed criticism of the lack of controls on unauthorised transport services at the airport.
Discussion questions
- Why do airports close when a volcano erupts nearby?
- How do you think illegal taxi drivers were able to charge such high prices?
- What could authorities do to stop unlicensed taxis from taking advantage of travellers?
- Would you feel safe flying into an airport near an active volcano? Why or why not?