Sunday, June 29, 2025
On Saturday, June 27, 2025, a massive disruption at Milan’s Linate Airport left thousands of passengers stranded as a radar failure led to widespread flight cancellations and delays across northern Italy. Affected airports, including Venice, Rome, and Pisa, saw hundreds of flights either cancelled or diverted due to the breakdown in the radar system at the Milan Area Control Centre. With summer holidays in full swing, this unexpected crisis has left travelers frustrated and questioning their rights to compensation. Here’s everything you need to know about how to handle this chaotic situation and claim your reimbursement.
What Happened: The Radar Failure
On June 27, the radar failure began around 9:00 PM CEST, leading to massive disruptions in air traffic across Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria regions. The radar breakdown lasted for almost two hours, halting flights and delaying operations. According to officials, air traffic gradually returned to normal once the Milan Area Control Centre was back online around midnight.
The breakdown affected over 300 flights, including international departures, with airlines struggling to reorganize schedules. In some cases, passengers had to be evacuated from aircraft, while others faced long delays waiting for rebooked flights. This incident comes during a busy summer travel period, with many tourists and business travelers heading to Italy for vacation or work.
Stranded Passengers: The Impact on Travelers
One of the most widely reported stories came from Andrea, an Italian traveler heading back from Gran Canaria to Bergamo. Due to the radar failure, his flight was redirected to Pisa, and after arriving, passengers were informed there would be no available buses to complete the journey to Bergamo. With limited transportation options, Andrea had to find a hotel about 30 minutes away and spend the night there, only to continue his journey the next day.
Other travelers reported similar struggles with limited taxis, sold-out trains, and exorbitant prices for alternative transport. The disruption led to a chain of inconveniences for travelers trying to make their way through Italy, with some left without clear solutions for getting to their destinations.
What the Authorities Say
The National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has launched an investigation into the radar failure to understand its origins and implement measures to prevent a recurrence. Pierluigi Di Palma, President of ENAC, assured the public that the cause of the failure would be thoroughly reviewed, and corrective actions would be taken. However, with the peak summer travel season already here, many are questioning the readiness of Italy’s air traffic systems to handle such issues.
How to Claim Your Reimbursement
If your travel was affected by the radar failure in Italy, you are entitled to compensation and assistance under EC Regulation 261/2004. This regulation covers flight cancellations, delays, and rebooking. Here’s how you can proceed:
- Claim for Refunds or Rebooking: If your flight was canceled or significantly delayed, airlines are required to offer you one of the following options:
- A full refund for your flight ticket.
- A return flight to the airport of departure or a flight to your final destination as soon as possible.
- Rebooking on a new flight at a later time.
- Get Assistance During Delay: The airline is obligated to provide you with essential assistance during long delays, such as:
- Meals and drinks in relation to the wait.
- Hotel accommodation if necessary (for overnight delays).
- Transportation between the airport and hotel.
- Receipts Matter: If you have paid for extra services, such as meals, transportation, or accommodation, the airline must reimburse you, provided the expenses are reasonable. Make sure you keep all receipts to support your claim.
- Compensation for the Inconvenience: Although no specific flat compensation is provided for cases of force majeure like the radar failure, airlines are required to reimburse the costs incurred by passengers due to their cancellations or delays. However, the maximum compensation of up to €600 is not applicable in this scenario as it was a case of unforeseen technical failure.
What About Future Flights?
For future travel plans, RimborsoAlVolo, a company specializing in air transport refunds, advises passengers to contact the airline as soon as they are impacted by a delay or cancellation. The refund request process should be straightforward, but it’s essential to know your rights and act promptly.
The company also notes that while this was a force majeure event, airlines still have the responsibility to provide the necessary support and compensation where applicable. The key here is maintaining records and submitting your claim for reimbursement as soon as possible.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Air Travel in Italy?
The radar failure that caused chaos at Linate Airport is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the complex air traffic control systems that guide millions of travelers worldwide. With the ongoing rise in international tourism and the pressures placed on the European travel infrastructure, ensuring resilience in the face of such issues is crucial for maintaining passenger trust.
As investigations into the failure continue, Italian authorities and airlines are being urged to review their risk management strategies and ensure better preparedness for future disruptions. The summer travel season in Italy has just begun, and for many travelers, the challenge lies not only in the flight delays but in ensuring their journey remains smooth and stress-free.
Conclusion: Stay Prepared and Know Your Rights
The disruption caused by the radar failure at Milan Linate may have thrown a wrench into travel plans, but knowing your rights as a passenger and how to claim your refund or assistance can alleviate some of the frustration. Keep your receipts, stay aware of European passenger regulations, and remember that airlines are legally obligated to assist you when things go wrong. Stay safe, plan ahead, and hopefully, your future trips will be smoother than this one!
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