Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM lead 66 flight cancellations across six airports in Italy

Disruption overview

Operational problems disrupted flights across Italy on 12 May 2026, causing 66 cancellations and more than 70 major delays at Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport, Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Milan Linate Airport, Naples International Airport, Palermo Airport, and Catania–Fontanarossa Airport. Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM accounted for most of the canceled services, while ITA Airways and Ryanair led the delays as aircraft rotation failures and heavy congestion spread through the network. Because the disruption appears to be tied to airline and airport operations rather than weather or strikes, passengers on affected EU journeys may be able to claim up to €600 compensation under EC 261.

Disruption details

Italy’s air travel network was hit hard on 12 May 2026, when operational problems caused 66 flight cancellations and more than 70 major delays across six of the country’s busiest airports.

For passengers, this meant long waits, last-minute changes, and a stressful start to their journey during a busy spring travel period. The disruption also created pressure on onward connections, with people trying to rearrange plans while airports and airlines worked through a fast-growing backlog.

The biggest share of cancellations came from Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, which together scrapped 41 departures and arrivals. Lufthansa canceled seven flights in Rome and four in Naples. The Air France-KLM group cut 10 services in Rome, 10 in Florence, and four in Milan. Other airlines, including Swiss, Helvetic, Air Dolomiti, Finnair, Brussels Airlines, Air Baltic, and Austrian Airlines, also removed multiple flights from their schedules, while United Airlines reported long-haul delays out of Fiumicino.

The delay picture was led by ITA Airways and Ryanair. ITA recorded 37 late departures, while Ryanair had 22. Those delays didn’t stay contained to the early part of the day. They rolled into later departures and onward connections, creating a wider knock-on effect across afternoon schedules. In total, at least 136 flights were directly affected, and the wider impact appears to have stretched well beyond that.

What caused it?

The disruption appears to have come from a mix of aircraft rotation problems and severe airport congestion. Early irregularities elsewhere in Europe left aircraft out of position, which meant some airlines no longer had enough flexibility in their fleets to recover quickly. Instead of risking even more disruption across their networks, some carriers chose to cancel flights and try to stabilize operations from there.

What stands out here is what didn’t happen. There were no reports of bad weather, strike action, or air traffic control stoppages. That points to pressure inside airline and airport operations rather than an external event. Florence was especially exposed because its short runway leaves less room to absorb disruption once flights start dropping out. Palermo also felt the strain, with Swiss and Lufthansa canceling their entire morning programs.

The disruption on the ground was significant too. Baggage systems in Rome and Naples were overwhelmed, leaving hundreds of suitcases delayed while passengers tried to work out whether they could still travel. Some people missed trans-Atlantic connections to New York and Los Angeles. Others switched to trains or long-distance coaches instead. Hotel demand also rose in Rome and Florence as stranded travelers looked for somewhere to stay.

Airlines are now trying to reset aircraft schedules overnight, but the backlog may take several days to clear. That means more cancellations and delays are still possible if aircraft positioning remains unstable. If you’re due to travel through Italy, it’s worth waiting for a revalidated itinerary before heading to the airport, and checking directly with your airline for updates on rebooking or alternative options.

Because this disruption appears to be linked to airline and airport operational issues, affected passengers on EU journeys may have a stronger case for compensation than they would in situations caused by something clearly outside an airline’s control. If your flight was canceled at short notice or arrived more than 3 hours late, you could be entitled to up to €600 compensation under EC 261. Your airline should also offer rerouting or a refund, and provide food, refreshments, and accommodation if you’re left waiting for hours or overnight. If you want to understand where you stand, you can check your compensation with AirHelp’s free flight checker in just 2 minutes.

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