What is ENAC and How Does it Effect Low-Cost Airlines in Italy

If LLC’s (low cost carriers) in Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia had their way, they’d enjoy the flexibility of initiating flights to and from the islands that would connect with LCC hubs spread across Italy. From the LCC’s point-of-view, such flights would not only benefit the airlines; but would also benefit consumers, and in the bigger scheme of thing benefit tourism: more flights, more passengers, more reason to travel and more profits. Everyone goes home a winner.

Achieving those goals seems easy enough: the number of available flights to and from Sicily, Sardinia and Lampadusa is strictly regulated by ENAC (Ente Nazionale per L’Aviazione Civil) the civilian aviation air regulatory commission for Italy. Since 1997, ENAC has created a set of ground rules that govern how airlines conduct themselves and where they can fly. ENAC’s position covers a lot of ground, and they’ve been proactive on many levels regarding the airline industry, for example identifying LCC and legacy airlines that don’t meet its stringent safety standards for aircraft and passengers. 

However, in the eyes of many LCC’s, ENAC has also taken steps that seem to limit the growth of Low Cost Carriers; particularly in the south. Consider the recent frustrations of RyanAir - unquestionably the LCC heavyweight throughout Europe - which is currently fighting an ENAC decision regarding air service in and out of Sardinia. RyanAir has written to the European Commission over what it termed the “abuse of regulations” governing Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes by the Italian Aviation Authority. It contacted the Commission following the announcement that Alitalia would be allowed to fly on a PSO route which, according to Ryanair, it did not apply for when initially offered to carriers.