A failure in the data transmission network supporting air traffic control has caused delays and cancellations at airports across Italy. The problem, detected overnight, affected systems used by ENAV, Italy’s air navigation service provider, which manages air traffic services and coordinates the work of air traffic controllers. From 6 a.m. on Friday, as traffic increased and technical problems persisted, the capacity to handle aircraft in Italian airspace was temporarily reduced to ensure the safety of operations. ENAV ruled out a cyberattack or sabotage as the cause of the malfunction. Disruptions affected several airports, including Rome Fiumicino, the capital’s main airport, Milan Malpensa and Linate, as well as Orio al Serio, which serves the Bergamo area in Lombardy. At Fiumicino, cancellations were reported on flights to destinations including Milan, Riyadh, Tirana and Trieste, alongside numerous delays. To minimise the impact of the failure, ENAV activated backup systems, allowing flights to continue operating safely, albeit at reduced capacity.