A data network issue disrupted Italy’s airport air traffic control systems starting Friday morning, October 16, 2026. From 6:00 AM, ENAV instituted flow management measures, reducing the capacity to handle aircraft in Italian airspace by approximately 50% to maintain operational safety.
Flight Cancellations and Delays at Major Italian Airports
The disruption affected flights at Rome Fiumicino, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, and Naples Capodichino airports. At Rome Fiumicino Airport, four flights to Milan Linate, Riyadh, Tirana, and Trieste were cancelled. Other flights at these airports experienced delays of up to 60 minutes.
ENAV Denies Cyberattack and Identifies Technical Fault
ENAV, Italy’s government agency responsible for air navigation services, confirmed the faults originated in the data transmission
network supporting air traffic control services. ENAV ruled out cyberattack or sabotage as causes. Normal air traffic management without capacity reduction was maintained until the faults began to reduce operational capability at 6:00 AM.
Recovery and Restoration of Air Traffic Capacity
Later on October 16, 2026, ENAV switched to a secondary satellite network, allowing full restoration of air traffic capacity across Italy. The gradual increase in capacity returned operations at affected airports back to normal levels by the afternoon.
Traveler Impact and Official Advisories
Passengers at major Italian airports including Rome, Milan, and Naples faced disruptions such as cancellations and delays up to one hour. Airport authorities advised travelers to check flight
status directly with their airline before going to the airport.
Official ENAV Statements
ENAV issued a statement on October 16, 2026: “From 6:00, in view of the steady increase in air traffic and the persistence of the faults, in order to continue guaranteeing the highest level of operational safety, flow management measures have been introduced, which mean a temporary reduction in the capacity to handle aircraft in Italian airspace.” ENAV confirmed the source of the network fault had been identified and that efforts were underway to restore full operational safety.
