Airport reopens as Etna slows

MOUNT ETNA, Sicily -- Sicily's main eastern airport has reopened after thick ash from Mount Etna forced it to close for four days.

Catania's Fontanarossa airport closed on Thursday night after dense ash covered the airstrip, making flying too dangerous.

Activity by Mount Etna -- Europe's largest and most active volcano -- has now slowed down according to the Italian Civil Protection Agency.

Though lava is still slowly winding down the mountain, the fountain of ash spewing from Etna's main mouth has stopped, the agency said.

Days before fiery lava threatened the Rifugio Sapienza tourist base halfway up the volcano.

The wall of lava had crept dangerously close to the Sapienza station at an altitude of 1,910 meters (6, 266 feet).

It swept over two of the three man-made barriers erected to protect the base, and engulfed a cable-car station and a building used to store ski equipment.

The lava stopped before it reached the hostel, restaurants and souvenir shops.

Another lava front came to within four kilometres (2.5 miles) of the town of Nicolosi farther down the slopes, then stopped in its tracks.

Etna, which towers 3,310 meters (10,860 feet) above Sicily, comes to life every few months. The last major eruption was in 1992.

The airport closure angered local officials who questioned whether they were really necessary since so many tourists were inconvenienced.