Volcanic ash from Popocatepetl temporarily shuts down Mexico City airports
Mexico City’s two main airports temporarily resumed operations after being closed for a few hours because the Popocatepetl volcano, 72 kilometers southeast of the country’s capital, spewed ash
Archive – A column about smoke and steam at the peak of Popocatépetl volcano on June 19, 2019, a photographer captured from the Mexican capital. (AP photo/Marco Ugarte, archive)
The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY — Mexico City’s two main airports temporarily suspended operations on Saturday because the Popocatepetl volcano, 72 kilometers southeast of the country’s capital, spewed ash.
The city’s Benito Juarez International Airport ceased operations at 04:25 local time. The airport resumed operations at 10 a.m. after removing volcanic ash, checking runways and noting favorable wind conditions, the airport said on Twitter.
The new Felipe Angeles Airport, located north of Mexico City and operated by the military, ceased operations around 6 a.m. and operations were suspended for five hours.
Volcanic ash is particularly dangerous to aviation, not only because it affects visibility, but also because it acts as an abrasive and can damage an airplane’s wings and fuselage.
The Popocatepetl revived again this week, spewing out massive clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school classes.
The blasts recorded in the early hours of Saturday morning were more violent, but authorities – who are keeping a close eye on the active volcano – are keeping the threat at moderate levels.
