Florence Airport: Does It Exist?

Florence, Italy, is served by the Florence Airport, Peretola, which is also known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport. It is located just 10km away from Florence and is the second-busiest airport in Tuscany after Pisa International Airport. The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with taxis, buses, and trams available for transportation. The airport caters to both domestic and international flights, connecting Florence to several European cities.

Florence Airport's history

Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ) is the international airport of Florence, Italy. It is also known as Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola and was formerly called Amerigo Vespucci Airport. Located in the suburb of Peretola, it is situated 8km from the Florence city centre. Peretola is said to be the birthplace of Amerigo Vespucci, a prominent local 15th-century explorer, which is why the airport was named after him.

The history of Florence's aviation can be traced back to 1910 when the first airfield was established in the Campo di Marte area. Military authorities allowed the use of a field for "experiments in air navigation", marking the beginning of Florence's aviation journey. This airfield served as Florence's first airport throughout the 1920s. However, as aircraft technology advanced, the Campo di Marte airport became inadequate.

In 1928, a more suitable location was chosen between Florence and the neighbouring town of Sesto Fiorentino. This led to the opening of Peretola Airport on 4 June 1931. Initially, it was just a large field without a formal runway. However, the Ministry of Aeronautics decided to upgrade it, and by 1938-39, an asphalt runway, 1,000 metres long and 60 metres wide, was constructed.

During World War II, Peretola Airport was utilised by the Royal Italian Air Force, the Luftwaffe, and later by the Allied air forces from 1944. In the post-war years, the airport welcomed its first passenger flights operated by Aerea Teseo with Douglas DC-3 aircraft. In the 1950s and 1960s, Alitalia offered flights to Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as Rome, Florence, and Milan.

The airport underwent significant renovations and upgrades in the 1980s, including the lengthening and lighting of the runway, the installation of a VOR/DME navigation system, and the rebuilding of the airport terminal. Regular flights resumed in September 1986, and the number of passengers and aircraft movements steadily increased.

In 1990, the airport was officially renamed Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport, honouring the explorer. The following years saw the completion of the departures building and the inauguration of the arrivals building by AdF, the company that manages the airport. The runway was extended further, and AdF continued to fund the enlargement of the departure area, adding more check-in desks and public space.

Today, Florence Airport is a modern and efficient facility, serving as a gateway to this historic city and the beautiful region of Tuscany. It is one of Italy's most popular destinations for tourists and offers connections to several European and Italian cities.

Transport to and from the airport

The Amerigo Vespucci Airport, or Florence Airport (Peretola), is located just 4-10km from the centre of Florence. The airport is situated on the outskirts of the city, to the north-west. The centre of Florence can be reached from the airport in a number of ways, including by taxi, tram, bus, car, and train.

Taxi

Taxis from the airport to the city centre have a fixed rate of €22 during the day, €25 in the evening, and €33 if travelling after 10 pm. There is also an extra charge of €1 for each piece of luggage. The taxi journey takes around 15 minutes.

Tram

The T2 tram line connects the airport to the Unita stop, close to the central Santa Maria Novella train station. The tram runs every 5-10 minutes and a ticket costs €1.50 per person. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes.

Bus

The Volainbus bus company runs a route from the airport to the Piazza Stazione (Train Station Santa Maria Novella) every 30 minutes from 5:30 am until 8:30 pm, and every 60 minutes from 8:30 am to 12:30 am. The bus does not stop on the way, so the journey takes 20-30 minutes. A single ticket costs €6.

Car

The airport is located close to the autostrada A1 and A11. Car rental companies at the airport include Auto Europa, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Maggiore, National, Sixt, Goldcar, Locauto Rent, Enterprise, Alamo, B-Rent, and Leasys Rent. The journey to the city centre takes around 20 minutes.

Train

If you are arriving at Pisa Airport, you can take the shuttle monorail from the airport to Pisa Central and then catch a direct train to Florence. The train journey takes around one hour.

Hotels near the airport

Yes, Florence does have an airport. The airport is called Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola, and its formal name is Amerigo Vespucci Airport. It is located just 10km away from Florence. Here are some hotel recommendations near the airport:

Vespucci Rooms & Apartament Eliana

Located just 0.3 miles from Florence Airport, Vespucci Rooms & Apartament Eliana is a recently renovated guest house where guests can enjoy its garden and shared lounge. It is a comfortable and quiet place near the airport.

Hotel Franchi

Hotel Franchi is located just a 5-minute drive from Florence Peretola Airport, close to the A1 and A11 Motorways. The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a balcony and a bar. Wi-Fi is also available for free.

La Corte di Peretola

La Corte di Peretola is located just 0.4 miles from Florence Airport. It is 3.7 miles from Strozzi Palace and 4.1 miles from Pitti Palace. The accommodation is air-conditioned and well-equipped.

Florentia Viola Apartament I

Located just 0.5 miles from Florence Airport, Florentia Viola Apartament I offers comfortable accommodations in Florence, 3.5 miles from Santa Maria Novella and 3.5 miles from Fortezza da Basso Convention Center.

Wyndham Garden Florence

Wyndham Garden Florence is located 0.5 miles from Florence Airport, 3.5 miles from Santa Maria Novella, and has a fitness centre, free private parking, a shared lounge, and a restaurant. The hotel is very clean, and the staff is friendly and helpful.

Starhotels Tuscany

Starhotels Tuscany is located 1.8 miles from Firenze Peretola Airport and offers free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel has 102 elegant rooms and suites that have been recently refurbished in a contemporary, refined style. The Assaggi restaurant offers delicious traditional local cuisine. The hotel is located in the heart of Florence's business district, making it a great choice for travellers aiming to mix business with pleasure.

Airlines that operate from the airport

Florence does have an airport, known as Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), located just 8-10km from Florence city centre. The airport is also known as Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola in Italian and its formal name is Amerigo Vespucci Airport.

A number of airlines operate from Florence Airport, including:

• Lufthansa
• Swiss Air
• Air Dolomiti
• Air France
• Iberia
• KLM
• Alitalia
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Vueling
• CityJet

These airlines offer flights to destinations such as Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, London, Edinburgh, Stockholm, Oslo, and many more.

Florence Airport is an international hub, serving nearly 3 million passengers annually and offering flights to and from destinations across Europe and beyond.

Other airports in Tuscany

Tuscany has two international airports: Florence Airport, Peretola (IATA: FLR, ICAO: LIRQ), and Pisa International Airport (PSA). However, there are other airports in the region worth considering when planning a trip to Tuscany.

Pisa International Airport

Pisa International Airport, also known as Galileo Galilei Airport, is Tuscany's largest airport in terms of passenger numbers. It is located in an industrial area south of the city, less than 4 kilometres from the historic centre. The airport has one terminal and two runways. It is served by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet, as well as other major airlines. Pisa Airport is well-connected to the city centre by the Pisa Mover tram, which takes around five minutes.

Florence Airport, Peretola

Florence Airport, Peretola, formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, is Tuscany's second-busiest airport. It is located about 10 kilometres northwest of Florence's historic centre. The airport currently has one runway and 10 gates, with plans for expansion. It is served by major airlines such as Air France, British Airways, and Lufthansa. The airport is connected to Florence's city centre by the T2 tram, which takes around 23 minutes, or by taxi, which takes around 25 minutes.

In addition to the two main international airports in Tuscany, there is also a smaller airport on Elba Island, just off the coast. The Marina di Campo Airport (EBA) is primarily used by private planes and helicopters, with Silver Air being the only commercial airline serving the airport. The airport is located about 13 kilometres from Portoferraio, the largest city on Elba Island.

When travelling to Tuscany from international destinations such as the United States, it may be more convenient to fly into one of the major international airports near the region, such as Milan or Rome, and then take a train or other transportation to your final destination in Tuscany.

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