San Marino's Unique Airport Situation: An Overview

San Marino is a small country located in northern Italy. It is one of the world's oldest republics and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Interestingly, San Marino does not have its own airport. Visitors usually arrive via nearby airports in Italy, such as Rimini or Bologna, and then travel by road or rail to San Marino. Rimini Airport, officially named Rimini and San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport, is just 10.5 miles from San Marino and serves as the main aerial gateway to the country.

Rimini and San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport is the closest airport to San Marino

San Marino is a small country located atop a rugged mountain in northern Italy. It is one of the world's oldest republics and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its rich history and stunning views, San Marino does not have its own airport. However, travellers can access the country via nearby airports in Italy, such as Rimini and San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport, which is the closest airport to San Marino and is located just 10.5 miles away.

Rimini and San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport, also known as Rimini Airport or Fellini Airport, is located in Rimini, Italy, in the region of Emilia-Romagna. The airport serves as the main aerial gateway to the Republic of San Marino and plays a crucial role in the local economy, particularly for tourists visiting the riviera romagnola. It is easily accessible by bus, with the Start Romagna SpA's route 9 connecting the airport to Rimini's city centre and other nearby areas.

The history of Rimini and San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport dates back to the early 1930s when it was developed as a military and aerostatic facility. It became operational in November 1937 and was named after an Italian pilot, Giannetto Vassura. During World War II, the airport sustained heavy aerial bombardment and was used as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Allied soldiers.

In the early 1980s, the government of San Marino expressed interest in managing the airport, and since then, several bilateral agreements have been signed between San Marino and Italy regarding San Marino's access to the airport. These agreements have allowed recognised air carriers from San Marino to fly to Fellini Airport and have given the Sammarinese government a say in deciding commercial routes. Additionally, San Marino acquired a 3% stake in the airport's management company, Aeradria, in 2002, further solidifying its involvement in the airport's operations.

Today, Rimini and San Marino Federico Fellini International Airport is managed by AIRiminum 2014 SpA and continues to serve as a vital gateway to San Marino, connecting it to the rest of the world and facilitating tourism and economic growth in the region.

San Marino does not have its own airport

San Marino, one of the world's oldest republics and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is perched atop a rugged mountain in northern Italy. Despite its rich history and stunning views, San Marino does not have its own airport. However, that has not deterred tourists from visiting this charming microstate.

The Republic of San Marino is served by the nearby Rimini Federico Fellini International Airport, located in Rimini, Italy, about 10.5 miles from San Marino. The airport serves as a crucial nexus in the local economy, especially for tourists visiting the riviera romagnola. Several agreements have been signed between the governments of San Marino and Italy regarding San Marino's access to the airport. As a result, recognised air carriers from San Marino can fly to Rimini Airport, and Sammarinese companies can operate in Italian airports without restrictions.

In addition to Rimini Airport, visitors to San Marino can fly into other nearby airports in Italy, such as Bologna, Florence, or Venice. From these airports, travellers can embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque Italian countryside to reach San Marino. The journey from Bologna Airport to San Marino, for example, takes about 2 hours and 47 minutes by train and bus.

While the lack of a dedicated airport may present some challenges in terms of accessibility, it has not hindered the development of San Marino as a unique tourist destination. The small country offers a wealth of cultural attractions and natural beauty, including medieval castles and Alpine scenery. Visitors can enjoy the mountain roads and scenic drives that wind through the stunning landscapes surrounding San Marino, making the journey to this airport-less country an unforgettable part of the experience.

San Marino has a 40-year concession over some areas of Rimini Fellini Airport

San Marino, a small country located in Southern Europe, does not have an international airport within its territory. The closest international airport to San Marino is the Rimini and San Marino "Federico Fellini" International Airport, formerly known as Rimini Miramare Airport. This airport is located in Rimini, Italy, just 5.2 kilometres (3.2 miles) southeast of Rimini's city centre.

While San Marino does not have its own airport, it has signed several bilateral agreements with Italy regarding the Federico Fellini International Airport. As a result of these agreements, San Marino has been actively involved in the management of the airport and has secured a significant concession.

On 16 September 2013, an agreement was ratified, granting San Marino a 40-year concession over some areas of the Fellini Airport. This agreement allowed San Marino to establish a private terminal within the airport. The private terminal was designed to include a customs border, enabling goods destined for San Marino to bypass Italian customs. This arrangement facilitates smoother and more efficient transportation of goods into San Marino, enhancing the country's trade and economic activities.

The Fellini Airport, managed by AIRiminum 2014 SpA, serves as the main aerial gateway to the Republic of San Marino. It offers a range of international and domestic flights, providing convenient travel options for residents and tourists alike. The airport has witnessed a significant increase in air traffic in recent years, partly driven by the rise of low-cost airlines.

In addition to its functional purpose, the airport also holds historical significance. Originally built as an aerodrome in 1928, it thrived during the 1960s, attracting international tourists to Rimini's beaches. The airport has a military past as well, serving as a strategic location during the Cold War. Today, it continues to be a crucial nexus in the local economy, particularly for tourists visiting the riviera romagnola.

San Marino's government has a 3% stake in Rimini Fellini Airport's management company, Aeradria

San Marino is a small country located atop a rugged mountain in northern Italy. It is one of the world's oldest republics and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its rich history and stunning views, San Marino does not have an airport within its borders. However, the country has maintained a long-standing interest in having access to an airport. As a result, the San Marino government has a 3% stake in Rimini Fellini Airport's management company, Aeradria.

Rimini Fellini Airport, officially named Rimini-San Marino Airport, is an international airport located in Rimini, Italy, about 10.5 miles from San Marino. The airport serves as the main aerial gateway to the Republic of San Marino and is crucial to the local economy, especially for tourists visiting the riviera romagnola. The airport has a long history, dating back to the early 20th century when it was developed as a military airfield. It sustained heavy aerial bombardment during World War II and was used as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured Allied soldiers.

In the early 1980s, the San Marino government expressed interest in entering the management of Fellini Airport. This led to the signing of several bilateral agreements between San Marino and Italy regarding San Marino's access to the airport. As a result of these accords, air carriers recognised by San Marino can fly to Fellini Airport, and the San Marino government can decide on commercial routes and carry out customs operations in agreement with Italian authorities.

The most significant agreement, ratified in 2013, granted San Marino a 40-year concession over some areas of Fellini Airport. These areas were expected to host a private terminal and a customs border, allowing goods destined for San Marino to bypass Italian customs. In 2002, the San Marino government acquired a 3% stake in Aeradria, the airport's management company at the time. The airport has since been managed by Airiminum 2014 SpA, following the bankruptcy of Aeradria.

Despite San Marino's involvement in the management of Rimini Fellini Airport, as of 2023, Sammarinese authorities do not have a presence at the airport. Travellers to San Marino typically reach the country via nearby airports in Italy, such as Bologna or Rimini, and then embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque countryside to reach this charming microstate.

Visitors to San Marino reach via mountain roads, scenic drives, boats, or charter flights

San Marino is a small landlocked country surrounded by Italy. It is located on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains, with no airport access. Visitors to San Marino can reach the country via mountain roads, scenic drives, boats, or charter flights to nearby Italian cities, such as Rimini and Bologna.

Mountain Roads and Scenic Drives

The most common way to access San Marino by car is via the Rimini-San Marino highway, which connects to Highway A14 Bologna-Ancona. From Rimini, take the Rimini Sud exit and follow the freeway to San Marino (SS72). Alternatively, take the Rimini Nord exit and follow the "Marecchiese" road n° 258. Paid parking lots are available in San Marino, and it is recommended to use the P11 parking lot and take the cable car into the historic centre.

Bus Services

The Bonelli bus service offers connections from Rimini Train Station and Arco d'Augusto to San Marino. In the summer, there are additional bus routes from Tripoli Square. From June to September, a distinctive blue-and-white train, the "By Train San Marino", operates from the historic centre of Borgo Maggiore to the cable car stop.

Train Connections

For those travelling by train, the nearest train station is in Rimini. From there, visitors can continue by bus to San Marino. If travelling by train from the south, one can stop at Cattolica, Misano, or Riccione stations, which also have bus connections.

Boat Access

Although San Marino is landlocked, visitors can reach the nearby Italian coast by boat and then travel inland to San Marino by road or rail.

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