Flight disruptions and cancellations affected several major Italian airports on the morning of October 16, 2026, following faults detected overnight in the data transmission network that supports air traffic control services.
The faults were discovered between late Thursday night and early Friday morning, although until 6:00 a.m. on October 16, air traffic management operated normally without any reduction in capacity. After 6:00 a.m., flow management measures were implemented to temporarily reduce the number of flights handled in Italian airspace to maintain operational safety amid rising air traffic and ongoing system issues.
Flow Management Limits Airspace Capacity
The national air navigation service provider Enav explained that
the introduction of flow management from 6:00 a.m. involved a temporary decrease in flight handling capacity over Italy. This action was necessary as the faults persisted alongside a steady increase in air traffic volume, prompting the safety measure to prevent further operational risk.
Delays and Cancellations at Rome, Milan, and Naples Airports
At least four flights departing from Rome Fiumicino airport were canceled, affecting routes to Milan Linate, Riyadh, Tirana, and Trieste. Other flights departing or arriving at Rome Fiumicino experienced delays of up to 60 minutes. Disruptions were also reported at Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, and Naples Capodichino airports, where delays and cancellations occurred due to the network
fault.
Enav Rejects Sabotage Claims and Updates on Fault Investigation
Enav confirmed it identified the faults in the data transmission network supporting air traffic control and is investigating the underlying causes to restore full system functionality. The agency denied any links between the technical faults and external sabotage or hacking attempts. In its statement, Enav emphasized the commitment to maintaining operational safety despite the network issue and continuing work on repairs.
Passengers using affected Italian airports on October 16, 2026, face delays and cancellations. Airport operators have encouraged travelers to verify their flight status directly with airlines due to the ongoing air traffic disruptions resulting from the network fault.
