Fears of worsening coronavirus outbreak hit financial markets, airport traffic
Operational activities at the two airports in Rome -- Fiumicino and Ciampino -- were reduced on Thursday, following a high number of cancellations due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The company that handles both airports announced that starting March 17, Fiumicino will close its Terminal 1, while all check-in and luggage claim operations will be handled at Terminal 3.
The Ciampino airport, which is mainly used by low cost companies, will completely shut down its passenger terminals from March 14.
Despite Italy’s strict travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus, flights in and out of main Italian airports have seen a steep decline and check-in areas have been almost deserted in recent days.
The situation has been further complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose travel restrictions related to Europe.
Since originating in Wuhan, China, last December, the coronavirus has now spread to more than 110 countries.
The global death toll has surpassed 4,600, with more than 125,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization, which has declared the outbreak a pandemic.
