Nearly 400 flights disrupted across major Italian airports on 7 February

Italy’s air network saw 396 flight disruptions on 7 February across Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bergamo Orio al Serio, and Catania Fontanarossa. This included 383 delays and 13 cancellations. Ryanair was most affected, with about 114 delays and seven cancellations. Other impacted airlines included ITA Airways, Wizz Air Malta, and easyJet. Unions cited staffing shortages, Carnival-season demand, and heavy morning rainfall as contributing factors. Average departure delays from 07:00 to 13:00 exceeded 55 minutes. Airlines also used preventive cancellations to stabilize schedules.

Italy’s aviation network experienced significant disruption on 7 February, with 396 flights affected across five major airports: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Bergamo Orio al Serio, and Catania Fontanarossa. According to industry-tracked data, 383 flights were delayed and 13 were canceled. Average departure delays between 07:00 and 13:00 exceeded 55 minutes.

Ryanair was the most impacted carrier, with approximately 114 delays and seven cancellations. Other airlines affected included ITA Airways, Wizz Air Malta, and easyJet. Unions representing ground-handling staff described a combination of factors behind the disruption: ongoing post‑pandemic staffing shortages, intensified slot congestion linked to Carnival‑season demand, and heavy morning rainfall along the Tyrrhenian coast.

Airport operators took steps to mitigate the situation. In Rome and Milan, management deployed de‑icing units and reserve ramp crews to maintain operations. Some airlines also implemented preventive cancellations in global reservation systems to reset crew positioning and reduce knock‑on delays.

The impact was felt by business travelers attending key events such as Milan fashion buying sessions, pharmaceutical conferences in Bologna, and wine trade fairs in Verona, with reports of missed connections and logistical issues. Travel managers were advised to add at least four hours of buffer time to same‑day connections, consider routes via less affected airports such as Venice or Naples, and prioritize flexible or changeable fares through mid‑February.

Under European rules, airlines must provide care—such as meals and, when required, hotel accommodation—during prolonged delays. This applies even when extraordinary circumstances, such as adverse weather, remove eligibility for financial compensation.

Practical guidance emphasized checking flight status 24 hours and again 3 hours before departure, favoring fully changeable fares during this period, building additional connection time, and considering alternate airports where feasible. Analysts also noted the episode as a practical stress test ahead of the EU’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System, highlighting the importance of staffing and infrastructure readiness for future peak travel periods.