Passengers across Italy faced significant disruption on Friday morning as a fault in the country's air traffic control data network led to widespread delays and cancellations. The national air navigation service provider, Enav, confirmed that the issue affected the data transmission network supporting air traffic control services, but stressed that it was not the result of a cyberattack or sabotage.
In a statement released on Friday, Enav said that the faults were first detected during the night between Thursday and Friday. Until 6:00 AM, air traffic was managed normally without any reduction in operating capacity. However, as traffic volumes increased steadily through the morning, the persistence of the faults forced the introduction of flow management measures, which temporarily reduced the capacity to handle aircraft in Italian airspace.
“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,” the statement read. The authority also explicitly ruled out any link between the faults and hacker attacks or sabotage.
Enav said it had identified the source of the faults in the data transmission network and was working to determine the causes and restore full system operations. The company did not provide an estimated time for full recovery, but said it was prioritising safety.
Impact on airports and flights
The disruption was felt most acutely at Italy's busiest airports. At Rome Fiumicino, at least four flights were cancelled, including services to Milan Linate, Riyadh, Tirana, and Trieste. Other flights experienced delays of up to 60 minutes. Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, and Naples Capodichino also reported delays and cancellations.
Travellers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight status. The disruption comes at a time when European air travel is already under pressure from a variety of operational challenges, including air traffic control strikes and staffing shortages. The incident also highlights the fragility of critical infrastructure that underpins the continent's aviation network.
Italy's airports have been investing in modernisation and digitalisation in recent years, but this event underscores the importance of robust backup systems. The country's aviation sector is a key part of its economy, with Rome and Milan serving as major international hubs.
While the immediate cause appears to be a technical fault, the incident raises broader questions about the resilience of Europe's air traffic management systems. The European Union has been pushing for a more integrated and digitalised air traffic control system, known as the Single European Sky, which aims to reduce fragmentation and improve efficiency. However, progress has been slow, and national providers like Enav continue to operate largely independently.
In the meantime, passengers are facing the consequences. For those travelling to or from Italy, the advice is to allow extra time and to stay in contact with airlines. The situation is expected to improve as Enav works to resolve the issue, but no definitive timeline has been given.
This is not the first time that technical glitches have disrupted European air travel. Similar incidents have occurred in other countries, highlighting the need for continued investment in resilient infrastructure. As air traffic continues to grow, the pressure on these systems will only increase.
For now, Italian authorities are focused on restoring normal operations and ensuring passenger safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between efficiency and safety in modern aviation.
