News
ROME-THE AIRPORT SLOWLY RETURNING TO NORMAL
FLIGHTS STILL REDUCED TO 40% BUT RISING
(Source: ©ansa)
USPA NEWS -
Fiumicino airport, Rome's busiest, was slowly returning to normal operations Friday, reaching about 50% capacity, after a fire that inconvenienced thousands of travelers.
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) said that about 50% of capacity was expected overall on Friday and about 80% of check-ins had resumed at Terminal 3 where the fire broke out in a restaurant early Thursday.
The blaze led to an evacuation and closed the airport for several hours, snarling operations.
Railway and road traffic to the airport were also affected for several hours on Thursday and flights only began to resume at about 2 p.m.
The blaze led to an evacuation and closed the airport for several hours, snarling operations.
Railway and road traffic to the airport were also affected for several hours on Thursday and flights only began to resume at about 2 p.m.
The uncertainty led some travelers to camp out at the airport, formally known as Leonardo da Vinci, as they waited for updated information about the status of their flights.
That also led to crowding in other terminals of the airport. Prosecutors sealed off the fire-damaged section of Terminal 3, used for many international as well as domestic flights, as part of their investigation but police have said that they do not suspect it was set deliberatel
That also led to crowding in other terminals of the airport. Prosecutors sealed off the fire-damaged section of Terminal 3, used for many international as well as domestic flights, as part of their investigation but police have said that they do not suspect it was set deliberatel
Meanwhile, consumer group Codacons said it would ask ENAC to be on the lookout for any air carrier that might try to take advantage of the confusion to boost airline ticket prices for impatient travelers.
Italian carrier Alitalia said it would add additional flights as soon as possible to try to help move stranded passengers within Italy.
Italian carrier Alitalia said it would add additional flights as soon as possible to try to help move stranded passengers within Italy.
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