Speaking on RAI’s ‘Radio Anch’io’ this morning, Deputy Prime-Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that Italy will keep border checks on air and sea travellers from Spain in place “for security reasons.” The suspension—first introduced on 1 August after a mass migrant entry into Spain’s Ceuta enclave—has already been rolled over twice and now runs until at least 1 October. Tajani cited intelligence indicating that some of the Ceuta entrants may include jihadist cells that could attempt onward travel to Italy. He underlined that similar controls remain on the Slovenian land border and insisted the step is “nothing extraordinary,” noting that ten Schengen states currently operate internal checks. For business travellers, the measure means random ID inspections, longer queues and potential flight-connection risks on routes from Madrid, Barcelona and Spanish island airports into Rome, Milan and other Italian hubs. Airlines have started advising passengers to arrive at least 45 minutes earlier for all Italy-bound departures from Spain. Companies relocating staff between Iberian and Italian offices should build extra buffer time into travel itineraries and verify that non-EU employees carry proof of legal residence. The Ministry of the Interior has reiterated that EU/EEA nationals may still use e-gates where available, but should keep a passport or national ID card handy for spot checks.
Source: La Presse
