Potential disaster was averted when a Phoenix air traffic controller recognized two American Airlines jets mistakenly were flying the same flight number and acted quickly to avoid confusion and keep them a safe distance apart. Audio of the incident shortly after midnight Friday shows how he found a solution to ensure the planes that were both called American 2482 maintained proper separation as one plane arrived from Chicago shortly after the other had taken off in Phoenix. Normally the same plane flies both legs of the round trip, but American employed a second plane after the flight out of Chicago was delayed. The incident will be investigated.

Ash spewing from Sicily’s Mount Etna has forced the closure of the island’s largest airport for the fifth consecutive day. Hundreds of summer holiday travelers are stranded during the biggest travel week of the year. Catania’s airport will remain closed until Saturday afternoon, coinciding with the Ferragosto holiday. This is the longest emergency since 2002. Volcanic ash poses a significant risk to aircraft, potentially stalling engines. The closure has led to rerouted flights, increased taxi fares, and higher car rental prices. Trenitalia has added trains to ease travel pressure.

Travel, especially during the holiday season, can be stressful. But following some tips from the pros as you prepare for a trip can make for a smoother, less anxious experience.