Airports In Italy: A Comprehensive Guide To Locations

where are the airports in italy

Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world, receiving 191 million visitors in 2019. The country has 77 airports that receive international travellers, including four main airports: two in Rome and two in Milan. The Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport in Rome is the busiest airport in Italy, receiving about 30 million passengers every year. The Cagliari Airport is one of the largest airports in the country, serving the area of Sardinia and the Mediterranean. The Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa is a medium-sized airport that serves as a destination for travellers visiting the city, one of the main attractions in Europe.

Characteristics and Values of Airports in Italy

Characteristics Values
Number of Airports 77
Main Airports 4 (2 in Rome and 2 in Milan)
Smaller Airports 33
Airports in Sicily 6
Airports in Apulia, Lombardy, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna 4 each
Airports in Other Cities Venice, Naples, Genova, Turin, Pisa, Bologna, Palermo, Alghero, Catania, Ancona, Cagliari, Bari, Brindisi, Bergamo, Perugia, Reggio Calabria, Lamezia Terme, Trieste, Pescara, Verona
Airports with Air Freight Volume Data Bologna Borgo Panigale, Catania Fontanarossa, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice Tessera, Naples Capodichino, Palermo Punta Raisi, Bergamo Orio al Serio
Airports with Public Transport Connections Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Sandro Pertini Airport, Marco Polo Airport

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Rome's Fiumicino Airport

Italy has four main airports, two of which are in Rome. Rome's Fiumicino Airport, officially known as the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, is the largest airport in Italy, with over 43 million passengers travelling through each year. It is located in the town of Fiumicino, 18 miles (30 km) from Rome. The airport was opened on 15 January 1961, replacing the smaller Rome Ciampino Airport, which still remains in service for low-cost airlines and domestic flights. Fiumicino Airport features two terminals: Terminal 1, which serves Italian domestic flights, and Terminal 3, catering to international flights. Terminal 3 is also the largest terminal.

Fiumicino Airport has been recognised as one of the best airports in the world, ranking 8th and receiving a Skytrax 5-star rating. The airport has various transportation options to and from Rome's city centre. The Leonardo Express train is a popular choice, taking approximately 30 minutes to reach Termini Station. Buses are also available, with the Terravision bus service offering trips to Termini Station for a more economical price. Additionally, taxi services and car rental agencies can be found at the arrival terminal.

Fiumicino Airport has undergone significant expansion and refurbishment works. Future plans include the construction of Terminal 4, the extension of runways, and the development of new buildings for car parking, services, and airport facilities. The airport is committed to sustainability, with projects like the environmentally-friendly cogeneration system, which will enable the airport to produce its own energy.

The airport has a rich history, having been in use since 20 August 1960, prior to its official opening, to alleviate air traffic during the 1960 Summer Olympics. Fiumicino Airport has faced challenges, including two terrorist attacks in 1973 and 1985. Security at the airport is now supervised by multiple authorities, including the Polizia di Stato, Guardia di Finanza, and the Italian Civil Aviation Authority.

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Milan's Malpensa Airport

Milan is served by three airports: Malpensa Airport, Bergamo Airport, and Linate Airport. Malpensa Airport, officially known as Milan Malpensa Airport "Silvio Berlusconi", is the largest of the three and the largest airport in northern Italy. It is located 49 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Milan, in the town of Ferno, in the Province of Varese, Lombardy, and is situated next to the Ticino River, which divides Lombardy and Piedmont. Malpensa Airport is the ninth airport in the world and sixth in Europe in terms of the number of countries served with direct flights. In 2024, the airport handled 28.5 million passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Italy.

The history of 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 became a testing ground for aircraft prototypes, with Gianni Caproni and Giovanni Agusta establishing factories there, eventually developing into the largest aircraft production centre in Italy. During the Second World War, the airfield was taken over by the Luftwaffe after the invasion of northern Italy by Nazi Germany. After the war, the airfield was restored and redeveloped for commercial operations, officially commencing flights on 21 November 1948, with international flights beginning in 1950.

Malpensa Airport has two terminals (T1 and T2) that are some distance apart, with regular shuttle buses running between them every seven minutes. The airport is easily accessible from Milan, with a shuttle bus service connecting it to the other two airports in the city, and the Malpensa Express train providing a 40-minute link to Milan Cadorna railway station. Additionally, the airport is located off the Milano-Varese motorway, offering convenient road access.

Malpensa Airport offers a range of facilities for both leisure and business travellers, including bars, restaurants, and car hire services. It serves as a hub for several major airlines, with popular destinations including Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and London. The airport has undergone significant development over the years, including the construction of new terminals and the extension of its runways, solidifying its role as a crucial gateway to northern Italy and beyond.

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Venice's Marco Polo Airport

Venice Marco Polo Airport is the main international airport of Venice, Italy. It is located on the mainland near the village of Tessera, about 7.6 kilometres (4.7 miles) east of Mestre and around the same distance north of Venice. It is named after merchant traveller Marco Polo, one of the first Europeans to travel to Asia and China. The airport handled 11,184,608 passengers in 2018, making it the fourth-busiest airport in Italy.

The airport terminal has three floors: the ground floor for arrivals and the second floor for departures. The departure area has 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges. The "Tintoretto Lounge" is for SkyTeam passengers, while the "Marco Polo Room" is for all other passengers. The third floor of the terminal has offices for the operating company and airlines. The departure floor has separate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights.

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. The airport serves as a base for Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.

There are various ways to get to Venice from the airport. Although it is a more expensive option, a chauffeur service is available to collect passengers from the airport terminal and take them by car to the port, and then by water taxi to their hotel. Passengers can also take a water bus, or Alilaguna public transit shuttle, to St. Mark's Square. The ATVO bus service runs from the airport to Piazzale Roma in just 20 minutes, as the bus only has two stops. Passengers can also take a taxi, which can be found at the arrival terminal.

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Pisa's Galileo Galilei Airport

Pisa International Airport, also known as Galileo Galilei Airport, is located in Pisa, Italy. The airport is named after Galileo Galilei, the scientist and native of Pisa. It is ranked 10th in Italy in terms of passenger numbers, with 5,233,118 passengers using the airport in 2017.

Galileo Galilei Airport is one of two major airports in Tuscany, the other being Florence Airport. The airport is located just 2km from Pisa city centre and has its own train station, with frequent departures to Pisa Central Station, which takes around 5 minutes. The airport train station is easily accessible from the single terminal building through a covered walkway. From Pisa Central Station, passengers can board trains to major Italian cities, including Florence, Genoa, Rome and Milan. The airport is also well-connected to the train station of Pisa, making it a convenient option for travellers.

The airport offers a regular bus service to and from popular Tuscan cities such as Florence, Siena, Viareggio, and Livorno. Taxis can be found at the terminal exit, and the car rental area is connected by a shuttle bus service from the arrivals area. Galileo Galilei Airport is also used by the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) and is a base for transport aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and C-27J Spartan.

Galileo Galilei Airport has two asphalt-paved runways and is at an elevation of 6 feet (2 metres) above mean sea level. It was first developed for military use in the 1930s and 1940s and served as a base for the 15th Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Since 2017, the airport has operated a Pisa Mover shuttle service to and from Pisa Centrale railway station, with return tickets priced at ten euros.

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Cagliari Airport

Italy offers its visitors four main airports, two in Rome and two in Milan, as well as 33 smaller airports. Cagliari Airport, also known as Cagliari Elmas Airport, is one of these smaller airports. It is located 7km northwest of Cagliari on the Island of Sardinia. The airport is in the territory of Elmas, hence its name, and it is also referred to as Aeroporto Mario Mameli by locals. It was opened on 3 May 1937 and is the main international gateway to the island of Sardinia. Cagliari Airport is the busiest airport in Sardinia, handling nearly 5 million passengers annually. It is a busy terminal, as Sardinia Island is a common holiday spot for European travellers.

Transportation options from Cagliari Airport to the city centre, which is about a 10-15 minute trip, include taxi services, buses, and rental vehicles. The ARST Azienda Regionale Trasporti bus service operates from the airport to the city centre, and there is also a nearby railway station that enables connections to most Sardinian towns. There are no hotels within the airport, but several are located nearby.

Various airlines use Cagliari Airport, including EasyJet, British Airways, Air Berlin, and Luxair. The airport has direct flights to Copenhagen, with SAS Scandinavian Airlines operating twice a week starting on July 1, 2025.

Frequently asked questions

The two largest airports in Italy are the "Leonardo da Vinci" airport in Rome, commonly known as Fiumicino, and Malpensa, for Milan.

Orio al Serio International Airport is the third busiest international airport in Italy and is the largest in northern Italy. It is located 45 km (28 mi) northeast of Milan.

Visitors to Sicily should fly to the "Falcone Borsellino" airport in Palermo.

The main airport for Tuscany is the "Galileo Galilei" airport in Pisa.

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