While global jet fuel prices are still at highs unseen in years due to the U.S. war, Italy is facing separate fuel shortage challenges over truckers in southern regions like Campania, Sicily, Calabria, and Apulia protesting high gas prices by blocking the roads used to deliver it.
Over the last few days, airports in Naples, Salerno, Crotone, Bari and Reggio Calabria have faced severe fuel shortages that led to them having to instruct airlines to rework their flying schedules and arrange for refueling stops elsewhere.
ENAV, the Italian body in charge of air traffic control and air navigation services, has put out multiple NOTAMs telling airline crews to plan for additional fuel reserves and potentially reconsider their routes when flying into the south of the country. Popular European budget carrier Wizz Air has also sent its customers a notice warning of potential disruptions and schedule changes related to fuel shortages.
Delta Air Lines issues travel waiver on flights to Italy
Delta Air Lines, which flies to six cities in Italy from the U.S., is now also telling travelers that its flights may be affected by Italy’s trucker protests.
The southern Italian cities to which the carrier flies at this time of the year are Catania (CTA) from JFK and Naples (NAP) from JFK and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The airline has issued a travel waiver allowing passengers on these routes whose fare class would otherwise not allow for changes to rebook or cancel their travel free of charge.
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“Due to Southern Italy Fuel Situation, travel to, from, or through the destinations listed below may be affected,” the airline writes on its website. “Delta has issued a travel waiver, allowing you to change your flight at no extra cost.”
As of the current moment, the waiver is valid for any flights taking off before or on Oct. 25. The flight that one rebooks needs to take off before or on Oct. 28 although the travel waiver could be adjusted if the protests drag on and the fuel situation remains unchanged.
Which flights are canceled over Italy’s trucker protests and fuel shortages
The waiver does not apply to Delta’s service to northern or central Italian cities such as Milan, Venice, and Rome. Naples and Catania are the larger southern airports accepting transatlantic flights from Delta and United while regional airports in Palermo, Bari, Crotone, and Lamezia Terme are served by various European airlines.
The airports in Reggio Calabria (REG) and Crotone (CRV) have been left entirely without jet fuel on certain days this past week, which means that any plane flying into these cities needs to carry enough fuel reserves to come back without the usual ability to refuel upon arrival.
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Various flights to Italy are expected to be sporadically impacted through the end of the week ending on Oct. 25 but, as of Oct. 23, Delta’s flights to Naples and Catania are listed as taking off as scheduled.
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