VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Air traffic control disruptions in Italy affected 10 flights between Malta and Italy on Friday after technical anomalies were detected in the country’s air navigation network.
Italy’s air navigation agency, ENAV, said the problems were detected overnight in the data transmission network supporting air traffic control services nationwide.
The agency ruled out malicious activity, including cyberattacks, but said investigations were ongoing to identify the cause and restore full functionality.
The disruption led to widespread delays and cancellations, with Malta International Airport reportedly yet to receive an official explanation for the affected flights.
Among the services impacted were Ryanair flights to and from Milan Bergamo and Bologna, as well as inbound flights from Venice Treviso and Turin.
Wizz Air flights to and from Rome Fiumicino were cancelled, while KM Malta Airlines flights arriving from the same airport and departing for Milan Linate were also affected.
Rome’s airport website warned passengers of delays and cancellations, while flights at Milan’s airports faced delays ranging from 30 minutes to more than two hours. Several services were cancelled entirely.
ENAV said it had activated alternative data transmission systems to facilitate as many departures as possible, including intercontinental flights, while operating at 50% of its overall air traffic capacity.
The agency said contingency systems had allowed air traffic to operate normally until 6am.
However, as traffic volumes increased and the technical problems persisted, authorities introduced measures to regulate flight flows and reduce the number of aircraft in operation.
ENAV said it was continuing efforts to resolve the technical issues and restore normal operations.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
