Ryanair to suspend domestic Italian operations due to eased security rules

Ryanair reportedly plans to temporarily suspend domestic operations in Italy from ten airports, effective 23-Jan-2010 (Reuters, 23-Dec-2009). The carrier cited concerns with security arrangements on domestic Italian flights, after a Nov-2009 decision by Italian aviation regulator, ENAC, to reduce the requirements on documentation needed to check-in for domestic services. The carrier believes the relaxation of identification restrictions threatens flight security.

Ryanair: "It is incorrect for ENAC to introduce measures that reduce security on domestic Italian flights compared to security measures used successfully on all other EU and domestic flights operated by Ryanair in other EU countries," company statement. Source: Reuters, 23-Dec-2009.