Italy air traffic returns to normal after data network fault

Italy's air navigation service provider said it restored normal air traffic capacity on October 16, 2026, after a failure in the data network used by air traffic control sharply cut the number of flights the system could handle.

ENAV said the fault had been repaired and restrictions lifted, with schedules returning to normal gradually. At the worst point, it could handle only about half the usual volume of traffic, the provider said.

The trouble began overnight in the data transmission network supporting air traffic control services across the country. According to ENAV, backup systems initially let controllers keep operating normally. As morning traffic built up and the fault persisted, restrictions were introduced at 06:00 local time.

Controllers worked on a secondary satellite network while technicians dealt with the primary connection. That backup kept services running but could not carry the full volume of flights. Capacity was later raised to 75% before ENAV confirmed the primary network was fully functional.

By noon local time, the aviation analytics company Cirium had counted 192 cancellations across Italy. Only about 31% of departures had left on time, with punctuality falling to 25% at Milan Malpensa and 28% at Rome Fiumicino. Airports serving Rome, Milan and Bergamo were among the hardest hit.

ENAV ruled out malicious activity, saying its air traffic control equipment worked normally and the problem was a fault in the network carrying data between systems. It said it worked with outside suppliers, including the telecommunications company TIM, which manages and maintains the network, to find and fix the issue.