Britons heading to Italy warned of 'longer' queues at airports as tighter security measures introduced

easyJet  plane

easyJet passengers may face longer waiting times

PA
Solen Le Net

By Solen Le Net


Published: 13/06/2024

- 12:10

Updated: 13/06/2024

- 12:34

Customers have been warned about additional security checks at Italian airports through the month of June

easyJet has warned passengers flying to Italy that operations may potentially be delayed as the G7 Summit takes place.

Holidaymakers planning to jet off to the European hotspot between today and the 15th of June could face longer waiting times, the airline explained.


“Please allow extra time for your journey,” easyJet statement read. “Additional security checks are in place at Italian airports through the month of June, as Italy hosts the G7 Summit.

“This may include temporary border control and API checks while the event takes place and queues may be longer than normal.”

easyJet plane

Tighter security measures have been introduced at airports

PA

Certain airports in Italy are trialling new security and boarding technology that will mean passengers are not required to show their documents to get on flights.

Tighter security measures will be implemented in the lead-up and immediately after the event takes place in the Apulia region on June 13-15, 2024.

Italy is hosting leaders of the seven member States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission representing the European Union.

The informal forum holds an annual summit to discuss economic policy and pressing security issues.

It comes as holidaymakers were urged to take "precautionary measures" after several cases of dengue fever were detected in Italy, Spain, France and Greece.

An uptick in infections comes as tiger mosquitoes are migrating to Europe due to better weather conditions, experts have claimed.

Several countries across the continent have reported cases, including:

  • Spain
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Austria
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Hungary
  • Malta
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovenia

The World Health Organization said “mosquito activity” typically starts in summer due to a rise in temperatures.

It added: “Testing capacity for dengue is limited in many Member States in the WHO European Region, especially outside the European Union, and most cases likely are first-time infections and therefore mild and do not present for case, the actual numbers of dengue cases may be underestimated.”

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Several Dengue cases have been reported in Europe

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The illness starts with flu-like symptoms that can become serious, and in some cases, fatal.

ECDC Director Andrea Ammon said: “Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favourable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as Dengue.

“Increase international travel from dengue-endemic countries will also increase the risk of imported cases, and inevitably also the risk of local outbreaks.”

Tourists jetting off on holiday are advised to take “precautionary measures” where cases have been confirmed.

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