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Flights cancelled in Italy on 16 October 2026: ENAV failure and easyJet strike, what you can claim

By FlightClaimHQ Newsroom
Published 2 November 2026, 07:33 (UK time)

On Friday 16 October 2026, flights to and from Italy were hit by two events at once: a failure of the data network used by the Italian air traffic control provider ENAV, and a 24-hour strike by easyJet flight crew based in Italy. What you can claim depends on what disrupted your flight: a strike by the airline's own staff generally does not rule out compensation, an air traffic control restriction usually does.

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What happened

According to ENAV, quoted by Sky TG24 and Quotidiano.net, anomalies hit the network that carries air traffic control data across Italy overnight. From 6am ENAV restricted traffic, cutting capacity to around 50% for much of the morning and 75% around 1.30pm, before announcing a return to 100% at about 3.30pm. ENAV ruled out a cyberattack. Italy's transport minister blamed the network, which he said is run by TIM.

The same day, easyJet flight crew in Italy were on strike from midnight to 11.59pm, called by the USB union, Wanted in Rome and MalpensaNews reported. Under Italian rules, only flights from 7am to 10am and from 6pm to 9pm were protected. USB said more than 70 easyJet flights had been cancelled by 3.30pm at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino and Naples.

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How big was the disruption

Cirium data quoted by Qualitytravel showed about 192 flights cancelled around midday, with only 31% of departures from Italian airports on time. At Malpensa, delays ranged from half an hour to more than two hours, and easyJet, Lufthansa and SAS flights were cancelled, MalpensaNews reported; an easyJet departure to Bristol was among the delayed flights. MalpensaNews noted that not every cancellation could be blamed on the strike alone. A full list of affected UK flights has not been published.

What you can claim

If your easyJet flight was cancelled or delayed because of the crew strike, compensation may be due. In case C-28/20 (2021), the Court of Justice of the European Union said a strike by an airline's own staff is generally not an extraordinary circumstance; UK courts are not bound by it, but it remains a widely used reference. The usual conditions apply: cancellation less than 14 days before departure, or arrival 3 hours or more late.

Restrictions imposed by air traffic control are usually an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation is usually not due where the ENAV failure was the real cause. Because both causes overlapped, it depends on the facts of each flight. Whatever the cause, you were entitled to a refund or re-routing and to care while waiting, such as meals and, if stuck overnight, a hotel and transfers. In England and Wales, claims can be brought up to six years after the flight, five in Scotland.

If your flight to or from Italy was disrupted on 16 October, FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

Your rights if your flight is affected

You may be entitled to fixed compensation per passenger if:

your flight arrived at its final destination 3 hours or more late;
your flight was cancelled and you were told less than 14 days before departure;

UK261 (flights departing from the UK, or arriving in the UK with a UK or EU airline): £220, £350 or £520 depending on flight distance.

EU261 (flights departing from the EU, or arriving in the EU with an EU airline): €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

You cannot claim if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. The airline must prove it.

Whatever the cause, while you wait the airline must provide care: meals and refreshments, and a hotel room with transfers if you are stuck overnight. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim for an easyJet flight to Italy cancelled on 16 October 2026?

Possibly. If the cancellation was caused by the easyJet crew strike and you were told less than 14 days before departure, compensation may be due. If the airline shows the ENAV failure was the cause, it usually is not. It depends on the facts of each flight.

Was the ENAV failure a cyberattack?

No. ENAV said the problem came from its data transmission network and ruled out a cyberattack or sabotage, Sky TG24 and Quotidiano.net reported.