Italy flights face delays and cancellations on 16 October after air traffic fault

Travellers flying to or from Italy on Friday 16 October 2026 face delays and possible cancellations after a fault in the national air traffic control data network reduced handling capacity by around 50 per cent. The problem has hit major hubs including Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino, as well as Tuscany's Florence Peretola and Pisa Galileo Galilei airports, and a separate 24-hour EasyJet crew strike is adding to the disruption.

Key facts

• Italy's air traffic control capacity was cut by around 50 per cent on 16 October 2026
• Airports affected include Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Florence Peretola and Pisa Galileo Galilei
• Enav, Italy's air navigation service provider, reported anomalies in its data transmission network
• A 24-hour national strike by EasyJet cabin crew is running on the same day
• Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before going to the airport

What happened?

Enav, the company that provides air navigation services across Italy, said it found anomalies in the data transmission network that supports air traffic control nationwide. The problems were first detected overnight, and Enav ruled out malicious activity as the cause.

Contingency systems initially allowed operations to continue normally until 6am with no loss of capacity. Once flight volumes rose later in the morning, restrictions became necessary. Enav said it prioritised departures in the early hours, including intercontinental services, by switching to alternative data transmission systems.

Which airports are affected?

Delays have been reported at Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino. Passengers using Tuscany's Florence Peretola and Pisa Galileo Galilei airports face potential knock-on delays and cancellations as a result of the wider disruption.

Is anything else causing disruption?

EasyJet cabin crew are on a 24-hour national strike, which the source says may affect services across the airline's network. The usual strike protection periods remain in force, from 7am to 10am and from 6pm to 9pm.

What are passengers entitled to?

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers whose flights are cancelled or significantly delayed are entitled to assistance from their airline, even when the disruption results from extraordinary circumstances. Depending on the circumstances and the length of the delay, this can include meals and refreshments, transport and hotel accommodation where an overnight stay is necessary.

If a flight is cancelled, airlines must also offer a choice between reimbursement and rerouting to the final destination, subject to the applicable conditions. Additional financial compensation of up to €600 per passenger is generally not payable when a cancellation or delay is caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control.

What this means for travellers

Anyone departing Italy on 16 October should check their flight status directly with their airline before travelling to the airport, as delays and cancellations may develop throughout the day. Passengers on EasyJet services should also factor in the 24-hour crew strike. Travellers whose flights are cancelled or badly delayed can ask their airline for the assistance provided for under EU rules.

The source does not say when normal air traffic capacity is expected to be restored.