Italy logs nearly 400 flight delays and cancellations across Rome, Milan and Catania

Italy experienced widespread air travel disruption on 7 February, with 383 delays and 13 cancellations across Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bergamo Orio al Serio and Catania Fontanarossa. Ryanair saw 114 delays and seven cancellations, with ITA Airways, Wizz Air Malta and easyJet also affected. Ground-handling unions cited post-pandemic staffing gaps, slot congestion tied to Carnival travel and heavy rain along the Tyrrhenian coast. Average departure delays between 07:00 and 13:00 exceeded 55 minutes, and airlines began loading precautionary cancellations to reset crew rosters.

Italy’s air traffic faced broad disruption on 7 February, with FlightAware data indicating 383 delayed flights and 13 cancellations across five major airports: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bergamo Orio al Serio and Catania Fontanarossa. Ryanair was the most affected carrier by volume, with 114 delays and seven cancellations. Other airlines reporting impact included ITA Airways, Wizz Air Malta and easyJet.

Ground-handling unions described a convergence of issues: ongoing post-pandemic staffing shortfalls, slot congestion linked to heightened Carnival-season demand and heavy rainfall along the Tyrrhenian coast during the morning peak. Airport operators deployed mitigation measures, with ADR in Rome and SEA in Milan mobilizing de-icing teams and reserve ramp crews. Despite these efforts, average departure delays from 07:00 to 13:00 still exceeded 55 minutes.

The timing complicated corporate travel plans. Milan’s fashion calendar was due to accelerate the following week, while trade fairs in Bologna and Verona were in progress. Travel managers were advised to expect residual knock-on effects, as airlines began loading precautionary cancellations into global distribution systems to help reset crew rosters.

Practical guidance suggested for impacted travelers included: checking flight status 24 hours and again three hours before departure; opting for fully changeable fares where possible through mid‑February; building at least a four‑hour buffer for same‑day connections; and considering routings via less affected airports such as Venice or Naples.

Under EU261, weather-related delays typically do not entitle passengers to monetary compensation, though airlines must still provide meals and hotel accommodation in the event of an overnight delay. The disruption also raised concerns about readiness for the EU Entry/Exit System scheduled for April, which will add biometric processing at non‑Schengen desks and could require additional staffing to prevent similar operational strain during peak summer periods.