Imagine this: Italy has decided you no longer need to show your ID card or passport to board flights within Italy and the other 25 Schengen countries! Yes, you read that right. From now on, just your flight ticket is enough. The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) announced that mandatory ID checks at the gate are abolished, but you still need to show your documents at check-in.
This new procedure applies to flights within Italy and to Schengen member states, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus still require identification, but Cyprus is gradually aligning its procedures.
Italian authorities retain the right to require ID on so-called sensitive routes due to migration concerns. Safety is not compromised as all passengers undergo standard security checks before entering the sterile airport zone.
Estimates say this procedure could cover 51 million passengers by the end of the year, and up to 92 million next year!
While this is a relief for travelers, it is still recommended to carry personal documents due to possible random checks and for identification when returning from abroad, especially in countries that do not apply the same rules.
So next time you fly within Italy or Schengen, your ticket might be the only paper you need at the gate. But don’t get too comfortable — your ID is still your best friend in unexpected situations.
What do you think? Is this the beginning of the end for boring airport waits or just another trick to confuse us? Share your thoughts, maybe even an airport story or two!
