Chaos as Italian budget airline Wind Jet halts flights Published duration 12 August 2012

An Italian cash-strapped budget airline, Wind Jet, has suspended all its flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

At Rome's Fiumicino airport, some 200 Israeli nationals - who had been due to fly to Tel Aviv - spent the night at the terminal.

Another five flights to destinations across Italy were cancelled as well.

The Sicily-based firm is now close to losing its operating licence after takeover talks with Alitalia failed.

Further chaos is expected as some 300,000 passengers across Italy have booked tickets with Wind Jet in coming weeks.

Alitalia - Italy's national airline - says it will help Wind Jet passengers to find alternative flights, but only on payment of supplements.

The country's aviation authorities have set up a crisis centre to help stranded passengers at the beginning of the busiest holiday week of the year.