Italy denied US warplanes access to the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily “a few evenings ago,” after flight plans were submitted while in mid-air without prior approval, according to a report cited by Corriere della Sera on 31 March.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto made the decision after being alerted by Chief of Defense Staff Luciano Portolano, who was informed that US bombers intended to land at the base before continuing toward West Asia.
The request came only after the aircraft were already airborne, with no consultation or authorization from Italian authorities.
Initial military checks found the flights were not routine or logistical, placing them outside existing Italy–US agreements and requiring formal approval and parliamentary oversight. Crosetto had previously stated that “Any operation that does not fall within existing treaties and therefore requires authorization, we commit to submitting to parliament.” Läs artikel