Italy's Major Airports: A Comprehensive Overview

Italy has a remarkably high density of international and regional airports, with 46 airports open to commercial traffic. In 2023, Italian airports received a record-breaking 197.2 million passengers, with 128 million of those being international travellers. The largest and busiest airport in Italy is the Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, also known as Rome Fiumicino Airport, which served over 40 million passengers in 2023. Milan-Malpensa Airport is the second-largest airport in Italy and the biggest in terms of cargo traffic, processing 665,655 tonnes.

Italy's busiest airports

Italy has a remarkably high density of international and regional airports. In 2023, Italian airports received a record-breaking 197.2 million passengers, with 128 million of those being international travellers.

The biggest airport in Italy is Rome Fiumicino Airport, with 40.5 million passengers in 2023. The airport, also known as Rome-Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" International Airport, is located 30 kilometres southwest of Rome and serves as the main hub for ITA Airways. It has two terminals and three runways, with the new boarding area in Terminal 1 adding 23 new gates to improve its capacity.

Milan-Malpensa Airport is the second-largest airport in Italy by passenger numbers, and the biggest in terms of cargo traffic, processing 665,655 tonnes, which is 65% of Italy's air cargo. The airport has two terminals and two runways, and has been developed over the years to improve connectivity and the passenger experience.

The third-busiest airport in Italy is Bergamo-Orio al Serio Airport, also known as Il Caravaggio International Airport. The airport received 16 million passengers in 2023 and is located 50 kilometres from Milan. Naples Airport is the fourth-busiest, with 12.4 million passengers in 2023, and is the most important airport in southern Italy. Venice Airport, also known as Marco Polo Airport, is fifth, with 11.3 million passengers.

Rome Fiumicino Airport

Security at Rome Fiumicino Airport is supervised by several authorities, including the Polizia di Stato, Guardia di Finanza (Italian Customs Police), Italian Civil Aviation Authority, and Aeroporti di Roma S.p.A. Aeroporti di Roma Handling and Alitalia Airport are the major ground handlers for airlines and aircraft at the airport. The airport has been the target of two terrorist attacks in 1973 and 1985, linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Travellers can easily access Rome's city centre from the airport by various means. The Leonardo Express train connects Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station in approximately 30 minutes, with tickets priced at $15.15 for a one-way trip. Regional trains on the Sabina-Fiumicino line (FR1) offer a more affordable option. Additionally, reputable bus companies like Terravision and Schiaffini provide services between the airport and Termini Station, with tickets ranging from $5.49 to $11.90.

Milan Malpensa Airport

Malpensa Airport is currently the ninth-largest airport in the world and sixth in Europe regarding the number of countries served with direct flights. In 2024, the airport handled 28.5 million passengers, making it the 22nd busiest airport in Europe and the second busiest in Italy. Together with Milan Bergamo Airport and Milan Linate Airport, it forms the largest airport system in Italy by passenger numbers, with a combined total of 56.9 million passengers in 2024.

Naples Airport

Naples International Airport, officially known as Naples Capodichino International Airport, is the largest airport in Southern Italy and one of the most important aviation hubs in the country. The airport is named after decorated WWI pilot Ugo Niutta, but it is most commonly referred to as Capodichino Airport. Located 3.2 NM (5.9 km; 3.7 mi) north-northeast of Naples, the airport spans 233 hectares (576 acres) of land and features a single runway.

A variety of low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Volotea, and Wizz Air, as well as major airlines like Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, and Iberia, operate flights to and from Naples Airport. The airport serves as a base for easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea, and Wizz Air, offering connections to European capital cities and holiday destinations within Italy and abroad. Naples Airport is the closest airport to popular destinations like Positano, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, and Pompeii.

In addition to its civilian operations, Naples Airport has a significant military presence. U.S. military forces, primarily US Navy personnel, have been stationed at the airport since 1951. The United States Navy manages both military and civilian aircraft at the airport for logistical purposes. Naples Airport is also home to U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

Venice Airport

Venice, Italy is served by two airports: Marco Polo and Treviso. Marco Polo Airport is the primary international airport, located on the mainland near the village of Tessera, about 14 kilometres (8–9 miles) north of Venice's city centre. It is named after Marco Polo and serves as a base for Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet. The airport features one terminal consisting of three floors: the ground floor for arrivals, the second floor for departures, and the third floor for offices. The departure area has 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges. The airport handled 11,184,608 passengers in 2018, making it the fourth-busiest airport in Italy.

Treviso Airport, on the other hand, is a smaller alternate gateway to the Venetian region, offering both domestic and international flights. It is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Venice's city centre, about an hour and 15 minutes away by bus or 40 minutes by car. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Norse Atlantic Airways connect travellers to various European destinations from this airport.

Venice Marco Polo Airport offers convenient access to Venice's city centre by taxi, bus, or water shuttle services. Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals terminal, with fares ranging from €35 to €45 to the city centre. ATVO and ACTV buses also provide connections to Piazzale Roma, the main transportation hub, and Venice Mestre railway station. Additionally, Alilaguna water shuttles connect the airport to multiple destinations in the lagoon. A rail link under construction is expected to connect the airport to Venice Mestre via the Venice-Trieste railway in the future.

Car rental services are available at the Venice Marco Polo Airport, offering a seamless transition from the terminal to your vehicle. Options include Europcar and Sixt, providing flexibility for independent exploration of the city and surrounding areas.

Frequently asked questions