Any news about how Bush's visit to Rome will effect the airports on Wed and Fri? The papers are now mentioning only the changes in bus routes in the centre of the city.

Bush?? Here again?? It seems like every time I am in Rome he shows up. humpf.

DMae

I've seen stories that there will be no flying over the city; that wouldn't affect Fiumicino flights much. For Ciampino flights I might guess a change of flight path, not cancellation.

Adding: article in Italian here. He'll arrive at Ciampino on Wednesday and go to the Vatican on Friday before leaving.

We have been in Rome twice when Bush was there and IT IS complete chaos. They shut down highways, block roads. It's not quite so bad if you simply stay put and not move around too much.

Sharon J

I do not know about this week, but for past visits Ciampino closed completely. Ciampino is a former Italian Air Force base (I think they might actually still own it, not sure). And this is where Bush flys in and out of.

Here is his schedule:

11 giugno. Meseberg: colazione e pranzo con cancelliere Merkel. Nel pomeriggio si trasferisce a Roma.

12 giugno. A Roma colloquio e pranzo con presidente della repubblica Giorgio Napolitano. Colloquio e cena di lavoro con presidente del consiglio Silvio Berlusconi.

13 giugno. Colloquio in Vaticano con Papa Benedetto XVI. Nel primo pomeriggio trasferimento a Parigi, dove è previsto un discorso all'Osce. Poi cena con presidente francese Nicolas Sarkozy.

Which pretty much means from Wednesday afternoon till Friday afternoon, Rome will be in chaos.

So happy we don't get there until next Tuesday.
Ouch.

We departed from Ciampino this morning - no delays - Easy Jet took off exactly on time. The pilot even pointed our Air Force One and 2 accompanying planes.

quote:

Originally posted by Sharon J:
We have been in Rome twice when Bush was there and IT IS complete chaos.

You should have seen it when the Visigoths were in town!

quote:

You should have seen it when the Visigoths were in town!

quote:

You should have seen it when the Visigoths were in town!

Patrick,you are too funny. Thanks for making me laugh.

Sharon J

Thanks for restoring some perspective, Patrick.

Patrick, Arkansas, You really made me laugh out loud. My daughter Aria was in fact in Rome today so I'll have to get the lowdown from her on what it was like. Again Patrick "good one!"Barb Cabot