Owais Crawford
Italy has a high density of international and regional airports, with 37 airports in total, connecting the country to Europe and the rest of the world. The main airport in Italy is the Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome, commonly known as Fiumicino Airport. It is the largest and busiest airport in Italy, serving about 30 to 43 million passengers annually.
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What You'll Learn
Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport
Romes Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also known as Fiumicino Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in Italy. It is located in Fiumicino, 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Rome. The airport opened on 15 January 1961, with two runways, replacing the smaller Rome Ciampino Airport. However, it had been in use since 20 August 1960. The airport has four passenger terminals, the oldest of which opened in 1961.
In 2019, the airport recorded around 43 million passengers, but the pandemic led to a temporary decline. The latest figures from 2024 show a clear recovery, with over 49.2 million passengers served. Rome-Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is served by 92 airlines flying to and from 157 destinations. The airport is popular with travellers due to its modern facilities and good connections to Rome, although long queues are often criticised.
The airport is named after Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519). Reproductions of some of his most famous works and inventions are on display inside the airport. In 2021, Rome-Fiumicino Airport accounted for around 151,867 metric tons of cargo. The airport has also been recognised as one of the top 10 airports in the world, ranking 8th, while also receiving Skytrax's 5-star rating.
Alitalia, which has long been the flagship airline of Italy despite financial challenges, and ITA Airways, its successor, are the most important airlines operating at the airport. ITA Airways leads with a total of 74 flight destinations.
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Milan Malpensa Airport
The history of Milan Malpensa Airport dates back to the early days of aviation in Italy. Aviation activities on the site commenced on 27 May 1910, when the Caproni brothers successfully flew a Cal biplane. In the following years, the site witnessed the testing of various aircraft prototypes, attracting the attention of pioneers like Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni. They established factories, and the airfield became the largest aircraft production centre in Italy. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Italian Air Force utilised the airfield, but this changed in September 1943 when the Luftwaffe took control after the invasion of northern Italy by Nazi Germany.
After World War II, local manufacturers and politicians, notably banker Benigno Ajroldi, led efforts to restore the airfield as part of Italy's post-war recovery. The main runway was rebuilt and extended, and a small wooden terminal was constructed to protect passengers and goods from inclement weather. Malpensa Airport commenced commercial operations on 21 November 1948, and its first long-haul flights to New York City commenced in 1950, operated by Trans World Airlines.
In 1952, the Municipality of Milan assumed control of the airport's operator, Società Esercizi Aeroportuali SpA (SEA). SEA envisioned developing Malpensa as an international gateway, while Milan's other airport, Linate Airport, would handle domestic services. By the mid-1980s, Linate Airport had reached its capacity, and Malpensa was once again recognised as the practical alternative. The Italian Parliament passed a law reorganising the Milan airport system, designating Malpensa as the centre for all services covering northern Italy. This transformation, known as "Malpensa 2000," included the construction of a new terminal and improved connections to Milan's city centre. With support from the European Union, Malpensa Airport continues to play a vital role in Italy's aviation network.
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Venice Marco Polo Airport
The airport terminal has three floors: the ground floor for arrivals and the second floor for departures, with 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges. The third floor has offices for the operating company and airlines. The departure floor has separate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
There are various ways to get to Venice from the airport. The most comfortable option is to take a water taxi from the airport terminal to your hotel, but this is also the most expensive. There is a public water bus that goes to St. Mark's Square, offering a majestic view of Venice. ATVO buses run from the airport to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes, with tickets costing $9.07 each way. There are also scheduled bus connections to the nearby railway stations of Venice Mestre and Piazzale Roma. The airport is also connected to several destinations in the lagoon by public transit Alilaguna water shuttle services (Blue, Red and Orange lines), and by the express Gold Line to Piazza San Marco.
Due to the importance of Venice as a leisure destination, the airport features flights to many European metropolitan areas, as well as some partly seasonal long-haul routes to the United States, Canada, South Korea and the Middle East. Airlines that use the airport as a base include Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet. Treviso Airport is another airport in the Venice area, located an hour away from the city, and is mainly used by low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air.
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Palermo Airport
The airport has its own train station, Punta Raisi, which connects it to the city of Palermo via the Trinacria Express. The journey to the city centre takes approximately one hour. Additionally, several private bus companies provide connections to Palermo and other destinations in Sicily, with buses arriving and departing every half hour.
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Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport
Italy has a high density of international and regional airports, with the two largest being the "Leonardo da Vinci" airport in Rome, commonly known as Fiumicino, and Malpensa, for Milan.
The airport was first developed for the military in the 1930s and 1940s and was used as a base for the 15th Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. In addition to civilian operations, it is also used extensively by the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) and is a base for aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and C-27J Spartan transport plane.
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Frequently asked questions
Italy's main airport is Rome's Fiumicino Airport, officially known as Leonardo da Vinci International Airport.
In 2019, the airport recorded around 43 million passengers, but the pandemic led to a temporary decline. The latest figures show a clear recovery.
The airport is about 30km (18 miles) from Rome and can be reached by public transportation, including buses and trains, which can take you to the Roma Termini rail station in about 40 minutes.
Rome's secondary airport is Ciampino Airport, located northeast of the city. It is a good alternative for those looking for cheaper travel options as it mainly services low-cost flights.
Some of the other main airports in Italy include:
- Malpensa Airport in Milan
- Marco Polo Airport in Venice
- Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa
- Falcone Borsellino Airport in Palermo, Sicily
- Cagliari Elmas Airport in Sardinia
