Volcanic ash from Popocatepetl temporarily shuts down Mexico City’s airports
Mexico City’s two main airports have temporarily resumed operations after being shut down for several hours due to ash from the Popocatepetl volcano, 45 miles southeast of the nation’s capital.
FILE – A plume of ash and steam rises from the Popocatepetl volcano, seen from Mexico City, Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Popocatepetl erupted into life again in the third week of May 2023, spewing towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to war. cancel school activities. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, file)
The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY — Mexico City’s two main airports temporarily shut down operations Saturday due to ash from the Popocatepetl volcano, 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of the country’s capital.
The city’s Benito Juarez International Airport suspended operations at 4:25 a.m. local time. The airport resumed operations at 10 a.m. after removing volcanic ash, inspecting the runways and verifying favorable wind conditions, the airport said on Twitter.
At the new military-run Felipe Angeles airport north of Mexico City, it shut down around 6 a.m. and service was suspended for five hours.
Volcanic ash is particularly dangerous for flying, not only because it reduces visibility, but also because it can be abrasive, damaging aircraft wings and fuselage.
Popocatepetl roared back to life this week, belching towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions.
The explosions registered in the early hours of Saturday morning were more intense, but the authorities – who closely monitor the active volcano – keep the threat at a moderate level.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/volcanic-ash-popocatepetl-temporarily-shuts-mexico-city-airports-99482658
