Italy's civilian aviation authority will from Thursday ban all non-military aircraft from flying over Milan's upcoming Expo 2015 trade fair and the area surrounding the sprawling site.
The no-fly zone will initially be in place until 28 May and may remain beyond that date, Italy's ENAC authority said. It also includes the nearby Bresso airport and surrounds, ENAC stated.
Expo opens on Friday and the issue of security at the event has gained new urgency after recent purported threats to Italy by the Islamic State militant group and its supporters.
A deadly shooting rampage at Milan's courthouse earlier this month also raised questions about security at the city's public venues ahead of Expo but the trade fair's commissioner has claimed it will be safe.
Organisers estimate that between 20 and 25 million people will visit Expo, which runs until the end of October and which covers 1.1 million square metres of exhibition area.
