This is crazy. Surely they had their flight plans filed and cleared? I think the time has come to start billing Uncle Sam for some of these expenses...
According to their website, as of 2340 EDT on the 14th, both Alitalia and Britannia are on the list of approved airports and airlines; see
FAA Approved Airports & Airlines
[ 15 September 2001: Message edited by: The Guvnor ]