Between yesterday evening and this morning, 63 incoming flights were delayed, canceled, or diverted to other airports, and 39 outgoing flights were canceled or rescheduled. The disruption was caused by a technical issue with the ENAV instrument approach system, which occurred shortly before 6:00 PM on Saturday, combined with low visibility on the runway, as explained in a statement this morning by SACBO, the airport management company.

The disruption is affecting thousands of passengers, especially during a busy weekend due to the Epiphany holiday. Some have camped out in the airport corridors, while others have opted to spend the night in hotels or travel by bus, taxi, or car, resulting in additional expenses. Tensions erupted overnight between passengers and ground staff due to the long waits, even requiring police intervention. Specifically, of the incoming flights from 6:00 PM yesterday to this morning, 34 were diverted to other airports, 21 were canceled, and 8 were delayed and rescheduled for today. Consequently, 26 scheduled departing flights were canceled, while 6 were operated from other airports and another 7 were rescheduled for today. Meanwhile, SACBO further explains, the technical issue with the instrument approach system was "resolved around midnight." Sacbo, with its own staff and those in charge of airport security, "immediately activated the passenger assistance plan, with the support of the Dalmine Civil Protection for those who remained waiting at the airport, and facilitating the transfers of those who chose to return to their respective bases or whose flights were operated from other airports."

"We apologize to passengers for the inconvenience they have experienced and thank them for their understanding and cooperation, which allowed airport staff to provide the necessary assistance. Special thanks to the Dalmine Civil Protection Department, which intervened to assist and organize the waiting passengers' stay at the airport," emphasized Giovanni Sanga, President of SACBO. "We have remained in constant contact with ENAV, which has restored the equipment, allowing for a gradual return to normality starting at midnight."

(Unioneonline)

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