Rome, May 17 – Fiumicino Airport experienced a chaotic evening yesterday, May 16, due to two separate incidents that led to significant disruptions and flight delays. Among the affected flights was Ita Airways’ AZ1173, bound for Lamezia Terme, carrying approximately 200 passengers, which departed nearly two hours behind schedule.
Fire Incident on a Charter Aircraft
The first incident involved a fire alarm on a Buzz (Ryanair charter) aircraft, which was parked adjacent to the Ita Airways plane. Firefighters swiftly responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze and ensure there were no further risks. This initial event caused the temporary closure of a runway, leading to the first wave of delays.
Advertising Billboards Obstruct Runway
Compounding the situation, a second incident occurred when another aircraft collided with advertising billboards. These billboards subsequently fell onto the runway, rendering it impassable for an extended period. The runway remained blocked until approximately 11:30 PM, forcing all waiting flights, including AZ1173, to remain grounded.
Significant Delays for Passengers
The AZ1173 flight, originally scheduled to depart at 9:50 PM, was delayed by over an hour due to the runway closure. Passengers faced an extended wait as airport authorities worked to clear and secure the runway. The flight to Lamezia Terme finally departed shortly after 11:30 PM, once the runway was declared safe for operations.
The double incident highlights the complexities of airport operations and the ripple effect that even minor occurrences can have on air travel. Authorities at Fiumicino Airport worked diligently to resolve the issues and minimize further inconvenience to passengers.
Source: link-zrodlowy.pl
