Business aviation operators arriving in Italy continue to face confusion and inconsistency regarding the country’s aircraft disinsection requirements. While the health regulations are clear in writing, real-world enforcement and interpretation vary widely by airport and local authority.

An recent ordinance issued last year formally recognized the “self-spray” disinsection method as an alternative to residual treatment. However, based on current conditions, Universal Aviation Italy does not recommend relying solely on the self-spray method due to uneven implementation and risk of non-acceptance.

Who Needs to Disinsect?

Disinsection is mandatory for any aircraft that has been in a country affected by the Aedes aegypti mosquito—a known carrier of the Zika virus and other vector-borne diseases as Dengue Fever and Yellow Fever—within the past 28 days.

Countries on the “must disinsect” list include many global locations, including the United States and France.

If your aircraft has not been in an affected area during that period, a written declaration is still required and must be submitted in advance.

New Phytosanitary Restrictions at LIML

Important Update: New phytosanitary ruleare now in effect at Milano Linate Airport (LIML) due to the spread of Popillia japonica (Japanese beetle). Aircraft doors must remain closed between 10:00–18:00 local time. All handling, catering, and cleaning operations must be conducted quickly with doors kept mostly closed during this period.

Option 1: Residual Disinsection (Preferred)

This is still the most widely accepted and recommended method of compliance.

Procedure:

• Aircraft is sprayed after passengers disembark (15–20 minutes)
• Cabin must remain sealed for 1 hour
• Cabin is aired out for an additional hour
• Total time: ~2.5 hours

Crew may stay onsite until the procedure is completed and a receipt is issued. It’s possible to split it leaving the aircraft closed and then air out the day of the departure.

Validity: Once completed, the residual certificate is usually valid for 8 weeks, allowing unrestricted operations within Italy during that period.

Challenge: In the U.S., very few vendors are authorized to perform residual disinsection, making pre-departure treatment difficult to arrange.

Option 2: Self-Spray Before Landing (Accepted, but Risky)

Important Update: TOD disinsection spray is not universally allowed across Italy. It is only approved at select airports and requires prior permission from local authorities.

While formally permitted under WHO guidelines and now recognized by Italian authorities, self-spray disinsection remains inconsistently accepted across Italy’s airports and should not be relied upon without prior confirmation.

Key concerns:

• Limited approval: Only certain airports accept self-spray methods
• Prior permission required: Must be authorized in advance
• Inconsistent enforcement: Some airports may not recognize it or request re-treatment
• Risk of delay or re-treatment upon landing

Self-Spray Guidelines (When Approved):

• Use WHO-compliant aerosol spray (e.g., TOP brand) before each landing in Italy
• Declare treatment in the “Declaration of Health” section of the Gen Dec
• Retain empty spray cans in the cabin for inspection by health authorities
• Must obtain prior approval from destination airport

Option 3: Written Declaration (If Not Applicable)

If disinsection is not applicable (i.e., aircraft has not visited any affected countries within 28 days), operators must submit a declaration in advance.

Declaration Requirements:

• Must be on company letterhead (in English and Italian)
• State that aircraft has not operated in affected areas
• Include a full list of airports visited in the last 28 days
• Must be emailed to the local Health Authority at least 12 hours before landing

Compliance & Enforcement

So far, there have been no fines reported for non-compliance. However:

• One aircraft without proper certification was immediately sprayed upon arrival
• Future enforcement levels are unknown, and compliance is strongly recommended to avoid unexpected disruptions

Final Thoughts

Navigating Italy’s disinsection rules is not always straightforward. With the addition of new phytosanitary restrictions at LIML and limited acceptance of self-spray methods, advance planning and coordination are more critical than ever.

Key Recommendations:

• Contact Universal Aviation Italy for clarification before planning any disinsection strategy in Italy
• Treat self-spray as a backup method only, and confirm acceptance at your specific destination
• Allow extra time for compliance procedures, especially at LIML during restricted hours
• Always confirm requirements with your destination airport well in advance

Universal Aviation Italy remains in close contact with local health authorities and is here to help you plan disinsection strategy, submit documentation, and coordinate treatment services across all Italian locations.