Air traffic reduced by 50% due to anomalies on the control network: inconveniences throughout Italy

Difficult Friday for those who have to catch a flight. Air traffic capacity in Italy is reduced by around 50%, with hours of delays at all major airports, from Milan Malpensa to Rome Fiumicino. The cause is a series of anomalies in the data transmission network supporting control services. Enav informs that the greatest number of departures possible in the morning was guaranteed, including those of intercontinental flights, using alternative data transmission systems. It is excluded that the anomalies are attributable to malicious activity: it would therefore not be a hacker attack or sabotage. Added to the technical problems reported by Enav today are the inconveniences caused by the 24-hour strike called by Easyjet staff. The deputy prime minister and minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini "is following the issue with the utmost attention", writes the MIT in a note.

Anomalies found during the night

The anomalies "on the geographic data transmission network supporting air traffic control services throughout the entire national territory" were found "during the night", explains the ENAV note. "Thanks to the activation of the foreseen contingency systems", "the regular management of air traffic was guaranteed until 6:00 this morning, without any reduction in operational capacity". Then, with the increase in flights, it was necessary to reduce movements.

Are you entitled to a refund for a canceled flight?

Passengers involved in airline disruptions are entitled to reimbursements and assistance, as provided for by EC Regulation 261/2004, explains RimborsoAlVolo. Even in exceptional circumstances, if the flight is canceled or suffers a prolonged delay, the airline has the obligation to guarantee assistance to passengers in the form of meals and drinks, transfers, possible overnight stay in hotels and so on. In the event that a flight has been canceled due to technical problems, the airline must offer the choice between: a refund of the ticket and, in the case of a connecting flight, a return flight to the departure airport as soon as possible; boarding another flight to your final destination as soon as possible, or boarding another flight at a later date. "However, pecuniary compensation of up to 600 euros per passenger is not foreseen: since it is a case of force majeure, the delay or cancellation of the flight is not attributable to the airline's responsibility" - specifies Kathrin Cois, general director of RimborsoAlVolo.