Italy has become ground zero for the European coronavirus outbreak, leading many other countries to cut off air traffic to the nation in an effort to stem the flow of the deadly disease. However, a somewhat forgotten outcome of this is the thousands of Italian nationals stranded throughout the world who just want to come home. With the lockdowns in place, is it still possible to fly to Italy?

What restrictions are currently in place?

We recently reported that British Airways suspended all flights to Italy until April. But this breaking news was only one of many airlines that have suspended routes to the Italian homeland.  So far, British Airlines and its fellow IAG carriers Iberia and Aer Lingus have been joined by:

  • easyJet
  • Norwegian Air
  • Wizz Air
  • El Al Israel
  • Jet2
  • Air Canada
  • Croatia Airlines
  • United Airlines

"Following restrictions implemented by the Italian authorities, easyJet is now in the process of canceling all of its existing scheduled flights touching Italy between 10 March and 3 April 2020. We will be operating some rescue flights in the coming days." - easyJet statement to The Independent. 

Even home carrier Alitalia has suspended some routes as it looks to find ports of call still open to it. Currently, the official Italian government message on the coronavirus is to avoid public spaces and to restrict travel unless absolutely necessary. So far, Italy has reported 9,000 virus infections and over 460 deaths.

aer-lingus-flight-increase-summer-2020
Aer Lingus was forced to cancel multiple flights due to shortages in crew. Photo: Aer Lingus

Which airlines are still flying to Italy?

However, despite the risks involved some airlines have vowed to keep routes open to facilitate returning nationals and those whose love for Italy supersedes all else.

American Airlines has reduced capacity to Rome from its hubs and suspended its Philadelphia to Rome route.

Delta Air Lines is still operating its route from New York's JFK to Rome but has suspended all other destinations (Atlantia to Rome, Detroit to Rome, New York JFK to Milan) until the last days of April.

Lufthansa, Swiss and Eurowings are operating very limited services between its German hubs and Milan, Venice, Rome, Turin, Verona, Bologna, Ancona, and Pisa. Austrian Airlines is still operating services from Vienna to Naples and Rome but suspended other routes to Venice, Bologna, and Milan.

Lufthansa, Tel Aviv, Flight Cancelations
The move marks a colossal thaw in relations between Lufthansa and the UFO union. Photo: Getty Images

Ryanair has suspended quite a few of its Italian services, but not all. It still operates infrequent routes to Bergamo, (Milan) Malpensa, Venice, Parma, Rimini, and Treviso.

Emirates is still operating to Rome, but rumors from Qantas have indicated that it will be reducing capacity.

Simply Flying would like to remind readers that if you recently traveled from a coronavirus hotspot such as Korea, Iran, Italy or China, or have flown internationally, to be aware of the symptoms. If you develop a flu 5-14 days after travel then to quarantine yourself away from those who might be vulnerable (such as children and elderly) and notify your respective government authority.

What do you think of this news? Are you trying to get to Italy? Let us know in the comments.