Ryanair may have to move Italy flights

Ryanair faces the prospect of moving its service to Rome from Ciampino Airport to a neighbouring one after Italian officials said the airport was handling too many flights.

Italy's transport minister, Alessandro Bianchi, is quoted on business website Forbes as saying that Ciampino Airport was currently serving 138 flights a day, but that from this coming winter that number would be cut to 100.

Mr. Bianchi recognised the importance of the Ryanair flights to Rome's tourism industry and said he would look to provide an alternative airport close to the city that can be used by low-cost operators.

In the past when Ryanair had faced similar requests the airline said it would rather end flights to Rome than use the main Fiumicino Airport, which is the base for many European full-service airlines.

Ryanair refused to comment on the current proposition as it said it had not received any details from the Italian authorities.

© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty