ROME- As a result of the fierce fire last month at Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, causing serious disruptions and structural damage in Terminal 3, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (Enac)  decided to reduce Fiumicino’s operating flights by up to 60 percent starting from Friday, airport officials said.

 After 35 days since the blaze, which left approximately 20,000 people stranded and caused 1 million euros worth of damages, the airport needs to reduce its operability, as it currently can’t manage with only two out of three Terminals, which handle an average of 150,000 visitors every day.

 Enac’s decision has raised many concerns among officials and passengers, as it will reduce the schedule flights at Fiumicino, Italy’s principal hub, by almost half. In other words, it will be up to air companies which flights to ‘sacrifice’, even though they will certainly opt to reduce national destinations giving priority to more profitable international routes.

 On May 25, district attorney Gianfranco Amendola ordered the closure of the entire Section D at Terminal 3 – the closest section to the blaze - in order to determine the cause of the accident.

 But that is not the only issue. According to Susi Ciolela - Usb labour Union - 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.

 Adr, Fiumicino airport's company, stated that there is no risk for passengers and the four thousand workers in the Terminal 3 as the company promptly asked an organisation specialising in ‘disaster recovery’ to take measures to reclaim the area the day after the blaze.  

 Apart from a series of unclear documents that were released few days ago by Asl Roma, what is unbelievable is that, 35 days after the accident, there is no clear evidence or proof from health inspectors as to whether Terminal 3 is safe.

 From one side, Adr and Enac officials argue that the choice of closing Terminal 3 is not related to health concerns. From the other, there is no official proof that guarantees the site’s safety and there remains only speculation over the original cause of the blaze.