Italy’s disinsection requirements have always been a maze of regulation, local interpretation, and airport-level improvisation. Now, with new ordinances and growing public health pressure, the rules have sharpened—but so has the risk of operational delay.
Business aviation operators must approach Italy with a precision playbook. What follows is a tactical brief to avoid ground holds, compliance surprises, and confusion at the top of the stairs.
Who Must Disinsect? Any aircraft that has been in a country affected by the Aedes aegypti mosquito in the past 28 days must comply. This includes much of the Americas and Europe. Even if you haven’t operated in these regions, a signed declaration is still mandatory.
Option 1: Residual Disinsection – Preferred and Predictable Residual disinsection remains the gold standard. Once sprayed and certified, your aircraft can operate within Italy for 8 weeks.
- Spray occurs post-pax disembarkation (15–20 min)
- Aircraft sealed for 1 hour
- Air-out period: 1 hour
- Total downtime: ~2.5 hours
- Receipt issued on site
Challenge: Very few U.S. providers are authorized to perform residual disinsection. Plan accordingly.
Option 2: Self-Spray – Permitted but Risk-Prone Recognized by Italian authorities as of August 6, 2024, self-spray is a legal—but operationally risky—method.
- Enforcement varies: Naples may accept it, Rome might not
- Risk of re-spray and ground delay
If using self-spray:
- Use WHO-compliant aerosol (TOP brand recommended)
- Spray before each landing
- Declare treatment on Gen Dec (“Declaration of Health” section)
- Retain spray can(s) for inspection
Option 3: Written Declaration – If Not Applicable If your aircraft hasn’t visited a listed region in the last 28 days:
- Submit a declaration 12 hours prior to arrival
- Must be on company letterhead (English & Italian preferred)
- List all airports visited in past 28 days
- Email to local health authority at point of entry
Compliance Means Clarity Italian authorities have yet to issue fines, but one aircraft was sprayed immediately upon arrival for lack of documentation. Delays of 1–2 hours have been reported, often due to handler confusion or last-minute procedural changes.
Real-World Reports:
- Linate (LIML): Required spray, allowed flexibility in timing
- Rome (LIRA): Multiple accounts of impromptu protocol, spray equipment arriving via hand-carry
- Pisa (LIRP): Surprise spraying required APU reactivation, customs re-clearance
- Olbia & Salerno: No mention of disinsection at all
Pro Tip: Keep disinsection receipts in your ops binder. Even a minor stop in Milan can protect your next arrival into Rome.
The Bottom Line Italy’s regulations are no longer vague—but their enforcement often is. Residual treatment offers the cleanest path, while self-spray and declarations carry increasing risk. With vector-borne outbreaks rising globally, expect more scrutiny, not less.
Paragon Aviation Group is here to help. Reach out to our team and mention you saw this article—we’ll connect you with the latest intelligence and guide you through the most current disinsection requirements across Italy.
Italy’s rules are messy—this guide isn’t. Fly smart, stay compliant, and let Paragon handle the gray zones.
Charles LeDuc
Charles LeDuc: With over two decades in global aviation operations, the author brings real-world insight forged through frontline experience and executive oversight. As former Operations Manager at UAS International Trip Support (Americas HQ), he’s led high-stakes missions, optimized flight department logistics, and built high-performance teams across Part 91 and 135 environments. Based in Houston, he writes from a position of practiced authority, offering readers clear, actionable strategies grounded in operational truth.
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