Italy bans NGO planes from using airports close to migrant routes

Italy announced on Tuesday that charity-operated planes used to monitor migrant boats in distress will no longer be permitted to operate from airports on the islands of Sicily, Pantelleria, and Lampedusa, which are situated near key shipping routes. 

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) stated that this decision is likely to significantly impede the efforts of non-governmental organizations like Sea Watch, which rely on these small aircraft to patrol the central Mediterranean for rescue missions. 

In response, Sea Watch criticized the move as "an act of cowardice and cynicism," accusing the authorities of using this policy to criminalize NGOs for political purposes.