Shut-down risk following fire at Fiumicino

 ROME - As a result of the fierce fire last month at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, chaos continues to wreak, with new warnings of airport shut-down being issued if airport restorations do not meet authority requirements. 

  The airport has been given three months to return to its normal, working conditions, and to solve various "irregularities" identified by the judicial authorities. If not, district attorney Gianfranco Amendola has warned of the possibility of sequestration. 

  The authorities' preoccupations are twofold: firstly, queries about the lack of a proper emergency plan when facing a similar event like that of May 7, and secondly on the inadequate flammable ceiling structuring materials which should be replaced. 

  According to Susi Ciolela, from the Usb labour union, when the blaze broke out, about 200 workers went to airport first aid as the blaze burned plastic and metallic materials, leaving behind a pungent smell of smoke that could have been toxic. The restorations have been ordered to prevent these types of dangers - the materials between the "false" ceiling and the roof of the building specifically under question. The authorities question the health implications for both airport employees and passengers, should restorations not meet their safety standards. 

  The scope of the emergency plan is large, the authorities querying, for example, the quality of airport signage, not wanting passengers to stray into private areas or even onto the runways, when faced with an emergency. 

  If the conditions are not met, the airport risks being shut down completely. However, Adr, Fiumicino airport's company, assures that it is "already acting to conform to the requests made." 

  Vito Riggio, president of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (Enac), has communicated the return to activity of terminal 3 for the July 28. 

  Meanwhile, as a result of the works going on at the airport, many airlines and passengers alike have suffered. Last week, passengers flying from Rome to London Gatwick with BA were outraged as their flight was rerouted from Rome to Naples without sufficient prior warning.

  The 7.20 flight to London Gatwick departed from Naples with only half the number of passengers on board. Passengers had to quickly find their own way to Naples, BA not providing transport to Naples, nor refunding the extra travel expenses. 

  The passengers only found out when they checked in online, meaning that they had little time left to plan their route to Naples.