Exploring Italy's Vibrant Aviation: A Network Of Major Airports

Italy is a popular European tourist destination, with its capital, Rome, known for its historical significance. The country offers four main airports – two in Rome and two in Milan – and 33 smaller airports. In total, there are around 37 major airports in Italy, nine of which are international. These airports handle both domestic and international flights, with the largest and busiest being the Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, which serves more than 43 million passengers annually.

Italy's busiest airports

Italy has a high density of international and regional airports, with 130 airports in total as of 2012, 37 of which are major airports. In 2011, Italy was ranked fifth in Europe by the number of passengers by air transport, with about 148 million passengers or about 10% of the European total.

The busiest airport in Italy is the Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, with around 43 million passengers in 2019. It is the main airport serving Rome and is easily accessible by train, bus or taxi. It is popular with travellers due to its modern facilities and good connections to the city, although long queues are often reported.

The Milan Malpensa Airport is the second-largest airport in Italy and one of three large airports serving Northern Italy, including Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria regions. It is conveniently located around 31 miles from the city centre and is easily accessible by bus, train, taxi or car.

The Milan Linate Airport is the third-largest international airport in Italy and is commonly used for shorter flights. It is the closest airport to the city, just six miles away, making it a popular choice for business travellers.

The Venice Marco Polo Airport is the largest airport in Venice, a popular tourist destination. Upon arrival, travellers can easily access the city by bus, water taxi or private boat.

The Catania Fontanarossa Airport, commonly referred to as the "Vincenzo Bellini Airport", is located in Sicily. It is a relatively busy airport with a mix of domestic and international flights.

Other major airports in Italy include the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, a small international airport in the city of Bologna; the Naples International Airport, serving Southern Italy; the Rome Ciampino Airport, a smaller airport serving about six million passengers; and the Pisa International Airport, also known as the Galileo Galilei Airport, serving the Tuscany and Pisa areas.

Airports in Northern Italy

Italy has a total of 130 airports, with 99 of those having paved runways. The country is served by four main airports, two in Rome and two in Milan, and 33 smaller airports.

Milan Malpensa Airport

Milan Malpensa Airport is the largest international airport in Northern Italy, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. It is located about 30 miles northwest of Milan and is one of three airports serving the Milan metro area, along with Linate and Bergamo Airport. It is Italy's second-busiest airport and the second-largest airport serving Northern Italy. It is conveniently located roughly 31 miles from the city centre.

Milan Linate Airport

Milan Linate Airport is located about four miles east of Milan's city centre. It is one of Italy's busiest airports and the third-largest international airport in Milan. It is the closest airport to the city, just four miles away, making it ideal for business travellers.

Milan Bergamo Airport

Milan Bergamo Airport, also known as Orio al Serio, is located 28 miles northeast of Milan and about two miles south of the city of Bergamo. It is Italy's third-busiest airport and the third airport serving the Milan metro area. It is the third busiest international airport in Italy and served almost 13 million passengers in 2018.

Verona Villafranca Airport

Verona Villafranca Airport, also known as Valerio Catullo Airport, is located 10km southwest of Verona. It is situated next to the junction of the A4 Milan-Venice and A22 Modena-Brenner motorways.

Venice Marco Polo Airport

Venice Marco Polo Airport is the international airport of Venice, Italy. It is located on the mainland, about seven miles north of Venice. It is one of the busiest airports in Italy and the main international airport for travellers visiting Venice and the Veneto region.

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is an international airport serving the city of Bologna. It is located about four miles northwest of the city and is the only airport in Bologna. It is one of the ten busiest airports in Italy and is a gateway to the region of Emilia-Romagna.

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, also known as Genoa-Sestri Ponente Airport, is located about five miles west of the Genoa city centre. It is the best place to fly into for quick access to the famous Cinque Terre villages and the Ligurian Riviera.

Turin Airport

Turin Airport, also known as Torino-Caselle Airport or Sandro Pertini Airport, is located about 10 miles northwest of Turin. It is the only airport in Turin and was renovated in 2005 for the Winter Olympic Games.

Rimini/San Marino Airport

Rimini/San Marino Airport, also known as Federico Fellini International Airport, is located about seven kilometres southeast of Rimini. It is a compact airport that gets busy during the summer season. It is the main gateway to Rimini's Adriatic seaside and the tiny country of San Marino.

Treviso Airport

Treviso Airport, also known as Treviso Canova Airport, is located about 20 miles northwest of Venice. It is a small, easy-to-navigate airport used by many low-cost airlines due to its proximity to Venice.

Trieste Airport

Trieste Airport is a small airport in Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia region. It is located about 22 miles southeast of Trieste and is the closest airport to fly into when visiting Trieste, Udine, and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

These airports offer easy access to many popular destinations in Northern Italy, such as Lake Garda, Lake Como, the Cinque Terre, and the Dolomites. They also provide quick access to important central Italian cities like Florence, Ancona, and Rome.

Airports in Central Italy

Italy has a total of 130 airports, 99 of which have paved runways. The country is served by four main airports – two in Rome and two in Milan – and 33 smaller airports.

Central Italy is home to several airports, including:

Pisa 'Galileo Galilei' Airport

Also known as Pisa International Airport, this airport serves the Tuscany and Pisa area. It is named after the famous scientist, Galileo Galilei, and features a unique display of art sculptures outside the airport.

Florence Airport, Peretola

Also known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, this airport is the main airport of Florence. It is located just 5km from the city and accessible by rental car, taxi, or tram.

Federico Fellini International Airport

Previously known as Rimini Miramare Airport, this airport serves the nearby cities of Rimini and San Marino. Passengers can take a bus from the railway station to reach the city in 20 minutes.

San Francesco d'Assisi Airport

Also known as the Perugia Airport, this small airport provides travel options to Perugia in central Italy. It has affordable parking options and a single terminal for arrivals and departures.

Ancona Falconara Airport

This small but well-kept airport in Falconara is known for its cleanliness. Passengers can take advantage of direct flights to six different countries.

Airports in Southern Italy

Italy has a large network of airports, with 130 airports in total as of 2012. Of these, 37 are considered major airports. The country is served by several international airports, which are considered some of the best in the world for their facilities, location, and convenience.

Southern Italy is served by several major airports, including:

Naples International Airport

Also known as the Capodichino Airport, this airport serves Southern Italy and is relatively busy, with both domestic and international flights. It is easily accessible from the city by public transportation.

Naples-Capodichino International Airport (NAP)

One of the busiest major airports in Italy and the busiest in the Campania region as of 2019, Naples International Airport serves the southern part of the country. It is also known as Ugo Niutta Airport, named after a decorated World War I pilot. It is a base for several airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea, and Wizz Air, and has hosted US military forces since 1951.

Palermo Airport, Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO)

Falcone Borsellino Airport is located about 35 kilometres (22 miles) northwest of Palermo, the capital of Sicily. It is the second-largest airport on the island, after Catania–Fontanarossa Airport. The airport is named after two leading anti-mafia judges, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, who were assassinated by the Sicilian Mafia in 1992. More than 30 airlines operate from PMO, and it features modern facilities and amenities.

Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)

Italy's busiest airport, and one of the busiest international airports in the country, Catania–Fontanarossa Airport is located on the island of Sicily, near the city of Catania. It is also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport, named after the Italian opera composer from Catania. The airport is served by major airlines such as ITA Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa, as well as low-cost airlines.

Reggio Calabria Airport (REG)

A small airport in beautiful southern Italy, Reggio Calabria Airport was the first airport in Calabria. It is named after Tito Minniti, a historical war veteran from Reggio Calabria.

Lamezia Terme International Airport (SUF)

One of three airports serving the Calabria area, Lamezia Terme International Airport is a small airport with particularly busy travel times in the summer months. The airport offers 24-hour dining options, specialty shops, and free wifi.

International airports in Italy

Italy is a country with a high density of international and regional airports, with around 37 major airports in total, 9 of which are international. These airports serve as an important gateway for tourists and residents alike, offering a range of domestic and international flights.

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Fiumicino

The Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, also known as the Rome-Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, is Italy's largest and busiest airport. Located about 30-32 km from Rome's city centre, it is easily accessible by public transportation and offers flights with various airlines to numerous destinations.

Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport, Ciampino

The Ciampino-G. B. Pastine International Airport is the second busiest airport in Rome, located only 7.5 km from the city centre. It serves commercial, civilian, and military purposes and is a good alternative for those seeking low-cost flights.

Pisa International Airport, Pisa

The Pisa International Airport, also known as the Galileo Galilei Airport, is a significant airport in Tuscany and the tenth busiest in Italy. It is located just 1 km from the city centre and offers both domestic and international flights.

Florence Airport, Peretola

The Florence Airport, Peretola is the second busiest airport in Tuscany, located 4 km from Florence's city centre. It serves as an international hub for multiple airlines and has recently expanded its terminal and added a new taxiway.

Milano Malpensa International Airport, Ferno

The Milano Malpensa International Airport is the second busiest airport in Italy, located 40 km from Milan's city centre. It has two terminals and offers flights with a wide range of international airlines.

Milano Linate Airport, Milan

The Milano Linate Airport is the third international airport in Milan and the fifth busiest airport in Italy. It is located 8-8.2 km from the city centre and offers flights with various airlines, including easyJet, ITA Airways, and British Airways.

Orio al Serio International Airport, Bergamo

The Orio al Serio International Airport, also known as the Milan Bergamo Airport, is the third busiest international airport in Italy. Located 3.7 km southeast of Bergamo and 45 km northeast of Milan, it offers diverse flights with airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

Naples International Airport, Campania

The Naples International Airport is located about 4.8-6 km from the city centre and serves Naples and the Southern Italian region of Campania. It is the fifth busiest international airport in Italy and a base for popular airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.

Venice Marco Polo Airport, Venice

The Venice Marco Polo Airport is located 7.6 km from Mestre and offers multiple flights to European destinations. It is the fourth busiest airport in Italy and provides flights with various airlines, including easyJet, British Airways, and Ryanair.

Fontanarossa Catania Airport, Sicily

The Fontanarossa Catania Airport is the busiest airport in Sicily, located only 4.3 km from Catania. It offers flights across Europe and other popular destinations with a range of airlines.

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