Tesoro

It's from Reuters. But I don't know further details. Anyone can tell me more about this?

Scarlett

I heard something about the air space being closed for safety reasons.

rex

I've read that Ciampino will be closed on Friday, but no more than that.

Best wishes,

Rex

Scarlett

More from Reuters
"Italian authorities readied anti-aircraft rocket launchers among security measures to protect the scores of dignitaries converging on Rome for Friday's pomp-filled funeral in St. Peter's Square.

Italy was calling in extra police to the capital and planned to seal off much of the Eternal City on Friday to protect a VIP contingent that will also include French President Jacques Chirac, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the presidents of Syria and Iran, among other heads of state. "

Spygirl

Rather than "all roads lead to Rome" you now have all roads to Rome are now "bloccato." Starting at midnight tomorrow, all traffic will be closed off in the capitale, all state offices and schools will be closed, temporary flight restrictions will go into effect at midnight-no flights will be authorized over the city of Rome.

Almost by necessity, this would mean that most flights out of Fiumicino and Ciampino will not be operating on Friday, but some flights may be -don't know for sure at this point.

Tesoro

My colleagues will arrive at Fiumicino tomorrow morning and will head to the Vatican to pay respect to the Pope. Hopefully they will be able to make it.

Spygirl

I just read on the la Repubblica website that 350 flights will be cancelled between tomorrow and Friday-200 at Ciampino, 150 at Fiumicino more or less, due to the flight restrictions in effect over Rome's airspace for the protection of the heads of state attending the funeral

Tesoro

That's bad... Just visited the Rome airport website and found no information. I hope the passengers are informed in advance.

WillTravel

I was curious about what would happen to Ryanair and EasyJet passengers.
Here are the press releases:
http://www.ryanair.com/site/notices/050404.html
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/News/20050405_01.html

Ryanair is rerouting to Fiumicino (FCO) and to Pescara (130 km from Rome).
EasyJet is giving customers the option of taking a flight to Bologna instead.

Tesoro

Finally the Rome Airport posted this message on the website (http://www.adr.it/Default.asp?L=3&)

ADR informs that, Rome Ciampino Airport will be closed from 07.00 p.m. of April 7th till 24.00 of 8th April, except for State and emergency flights.

At Fiumicino airport from 10,00 of April 7th till 24,00 of April 8th there could be limitations of capacity of the 30% for in-arrival flights only. Except from 7,00-9,59 of friday April 8th in which at Fiumicino airport only international flights shall be guaranteed.

The list of protected flights arriving at Fiumicino airport on the 7th and 8th April, is available on the website www.enac-italia.it

Steve_James

Tesoro - Your colleagues will be too late if they actually want to file past the pope - the queue was closed last night.

Steve

nytraveler

Just heard on the news that in addition to everyone already in Rome there are between two and three million people from Poland on their way to Rome via train and road to try to attend the funeral.

Patrick

Is this the same Fodor's website where a few days ago several people were saying that it would be wonderful to be in Rome during this period and not to worry as a few small inconveniences would be minor, otherwise everything will be operating normally?

Spygirl

Certainly wasn't me that said that-I believe I said that Rome would be thrown into turmoil over the Pope's funeral.