Fire in Rome FCO / Fiumicino airport terminal 3 (06 May 2015)
#16
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#17
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TiggyWinkle posted elsewhere:
I'm reproducing that part of the post here as it may have broader implications for other FCO flyers than the original post, and of course we don't cross post here so we'll share the information.
I've taken the liberty of moving Joanna2360's informative post here as well.
Note the title has been modified for greater specificity and searchability.
Grazie for sharing your experiences and observations.
JDiver, Senior Moderator
The BA rep said that they are still canceling flights Out of FCO through the week and most likely through next week. And be prepared entering immigration a because lines are up to an hour or more wait time.
I've taken the liberty of moving Joanna2360's informative post here as well.
Note the title has been modified for greater specificity and searchability.
Grazie for sharing your experiences and observations.
JDiver, Senior Moderator
#18
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,968
Check-in for departures is at T5, but baggage claim and the exit to the arrivals hall are at T3. The planes dock at the G satellite, which can be accessed from both T3 and T5. T5 is a check-in facility, not set up for arriving pax.
#19
Join Date: Nov 2014
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Once we exited the secure area we joined the large group of folks who were just sitting or milling about with no idea of what the next step was. We eventually asked an Alitalia employee and she told us to call our airline and work it that way...they could do nothing for us. Full disclosure here, my wife's family comes from Italy, she has most of her relatives still there, speaks fluent Italian with a Roman accent, and is very aware of Italian cultural nuances. As expected, any airport employee we tried to talk to acted like we were asking for the moon and couldn't be bothered to help...they were too consumed with their own little dramas to be concerned with passengers. There was no traffic being allowed into the airport, but taxis were going out. We were eventually rebooked thru our airline (via phone) to fly out the next day.
When we returned the next day (3 hours before our flight just to be safe) the T3 ticketing area was operational for check-in, but no gates were being used. After we checked in we had to go to T2 and clear Security there. We were told to keep checking the boards for our flight since a gate wouldn't be assigned until shortly before boarding. Again, chaos ruled. Our flight eventually boarded an hour late. No jetways were in service, we were all bussed out to hardstands for boarding.
The only thing I thought the airport staff did well was keep handing out free water the two days were there. Hopefully things got better over the weekend.
#21
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#22
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I flew out the other day from T1 and while hectic, things were slowly back to normal. Are US-bound airline pax being given lounge access again if eligible? Reports from some pax were that all lounges were closed although the AZ lounge I went to on May 9 was open and running fine.
#23
Join Date: Jun 2013
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I finally flew out on Thursday afternoon with BA from Terminal 3 and the air was still very very smoky and it was hard to breathe for a considerable period. The airport staff were wearing respirators and handing out water. A lot of people were waiting outside instead of inside. After about 10 minutes I began feeling a headache coming on. After going through security you enter into the main area that suffered the main damage and the smoke filled air is very bad in that area. Walking through that area is awful. From there caught the train to the satellite gates. Arriving off the train, you get cleared by passport staff there. BA does not have a working lounge at terminal 3 at this time because of the smoke damage.
I hope this info proves to be of help.
I hope this info proves to be of help.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,555
I finally flew out on Thursday afternoon with BA from Terminal 3 and the air was still very very smoky and it was hard to breathe for a considerable period. The airport staff were wearing respirators and handing out water. A lot of people were waiting outside instead of inside. After about 10 minutes I began feeling a headache coming on. After going through security you enter into the main area that suffered the main damage and the smoke filled air is very bad in that area. Walking through that area is awful. From there caught the train to the satellite gates. Arriving off the train, you get cleared by passport staff there. BA does not have a working lounge at terminal 3 at this time because of the smoke damage.
I hope this info proves to be of help.
I hope this info proves to be of help.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2009
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#26
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Arrived at FCO on US/AAL 718 on the morning of Wed, 19 May, debarking as usual at the remote terminal where the American carriers go, then taking the monorail to T3. In T3, I did not smell the bad air on the way to Passport Control but did see some airport employees, though not many, still wearing white masks.
The exit from Baggage Claim between Carousels 9 & 10 was blocked off. The current exit was just across from Carousel 5, an exit not identified on the current map of Baggage Claim and T3 posted on the AdR's website for FCO, so if you are meeting someone outside Baggage Claim, you might want to be sure they know that the exits may or may not be where the map says they are. I'm guessing that the far end of Baggage Claim, the part blocked off, is closer to the fire damage than the part near the current exit. Near the current exit, there also are hand-made signs pointing the way to Terminal 1/T1 for those with connections.
The exit from Baggage Claim between Carousels 9 & 10 was blocked off. The current exit was just across from Carousel 5, an exit not identified on the current map of Baggage Claim and T3 posted on the AdR's website for FCO, so if you are meeting someone outside Baggage Claim, you might want to be sure they know that the exits may or may not be where the map says they are. I'm guessing that the far end of Baggage Claim, the part blocked off, is closer to the fire damage than the part near the current exit. Near the current exit, there also are hand-made signs pointing the way to Terminal 1/T1 for those with connections.
#27
Join Date: Nov 1999
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I just flew out of FCO today on LH, what a crowded, disorganized scene. I suppose the loss of many gates has caused them to have to stack up departures at the ones left, and many flights are being bused to remote stands. (I don't know if this is just standard procedure though even before the fire).
But it seems like the buses are straining to serve the flights since now there are so many more requiring buses, so every gate is packed with people, delayed, etc.
But it seems like the buses are straining to serve the flights since now there are so many more requiring buses, so every gate is packed with people, delayed, etc.
#28
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
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I just flew out of FCO today on LH, what a crowded, disorganized scene. I suppose the loss of many gates has caused them to have to stack up departures at the ones left, and many flights are being bused to remote stands. (I don't know if this is just standard procedure though even before the fire).
But it seems like the buses are straining to serve the flights since now there are so many more requiring buses, so every gate is packed with people, delayed, etc.
But it seems like the buses are straining to serve the flights since now there are so many more requiring buses, so every gate is packed with people, delayed, etc.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2004
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#30
Join Date: Mar 2013
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