The Spanish Interior Ministry reported that approximately 200 people arriving from Italy on 12 flights to the airports of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante and Valencia were subjected to checks. The inspections caused delays and discontent among passengers, according to airport news reports.

The Spanish controls fall within the framework of the temporary suspension of the Schengen agreements, implemented by Italy and justified by the Italian government as a measure provided for by European treaties. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, interviewed by La Stampa, defended Italy's decision, stating that the government did not create any uproar and acted in compliance with EU rules.

Tajani also described Madrid's reaction as unacceptable, characterizing the Spanish checks as retaliation. According to the Italian government's account, the full restoration of Schengen rules should take place by August 15, the Ferragosto holiday, from which a normalization of flows between the two countries is expected.

The episode is part of a phase of bilateral tension between Italy and Spain regarding free movement. The positions of the two governments remain divergent on the interpretation of their respective measures: while Italy considers its own Schengen suspension legitimate and temporary, Spain deemed it necessary to respond with targeted controls on flights arriving from Italian territory.