Rome Fiumicino Airport Explained

Leonardo da Vinci
Rome Fiumicino Airport
Image2-Width:250
Iata:FCO
Icao:LIRF
Wmo:16242
Type:Public
Owner:Mundys
Operator:Aeroporti di Roma
City-Served:Rome metropolitan area / Vatican City
Location:Fiumicino, Lazio, Italy
Elevation-F:15
Coordinates:41.8003°N 12.2389°W
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Caption:Click on the map to see marker
Mapframe-Zoom:9
Image Mapsize:250
Image Map Caption:Airport map
Metric-Rwy:yes
R1-Number:07/25
R1-Length-M:3,800
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:16R/34L
R2-Length-M:3,900
R2-Surface:Asphalt
R3-Number:16L/34R
R3-Length-M:3,900
R3-Surface:Asphalt
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:40 545 240
Stat2-Data: 38.1%
Stat3-Header:Aircraft movement
Stat3-Data:266,489
Stat4-Data: 25.4%
Stat5-Header:Cargo (tons)
Stat5-Data:25,862,550
Stat6-Data: 33.2%
Stat-Year:2023
Footnotes:Source:[1]

Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (Italian: Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Roma–Fiumicino) is an international airport in Fiumicino, Italy, serving Rome. It is the busiest airport in the country, the 9th busiest airport in Europe and the world's 46th-busiest airport with over 40.5 million passengers served in 2023.[2] It covers an area of .[3]

Rome-Fiumicino Airport "Leonardo da Vinci" serves as the principal hub for ITA Airways, the Italian flag carrier and the largest airline in the country. It was previously the hub of Alitalia, the defunct Italian flag carrier. It is also an operating base for several other airlines, such as Neos, AeroItalia, Ryanair, Vueling and Wizz Air.

Opened in 1961, it is in Fiumicino, 30km (20miles) south of Rome, and is named for Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519). Reproductions of some of his most famous works and inventions are on display inside the airport.

As of 2022, it has won the "Best Airport Award" in the category of hubs with over 40 million passengers, issued by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, for three years in a row.[4]

History

Early years

During construction, the remains of some Roman ships were found.[5]

The airport was officially opened on 15 January 1961, with two runways, replacing the smaller Rome Ciampino Airport, which remains in service for some low-cost airlines as well as domestic and charter operations. Despite being officially opened in 1961, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport had actually been in use since 20 August 1960. This was to help relieve air traffic that was congesting Rome Ciampino Airport during the 1960 Summer Olympics.[6]

During the 1960s, former home-based Alitalia invested heavily in the new airport, building hangars and maintenance centres; in the same period a third runway was added (16L/34R).

Later development

Security Services transferred from the Polizia di Stato (Italian State Police) to Aeroporti di Roma S.p.A. in 2000. Aeroporti di Roma created ADR Security S.r.l. (100%-owned) to provide these services as well as security services to airlines (in competition with other security companies such as IVRI). Airport Security is supervised by Polizia di Stato, Guardia di Finanza (Italian Customs Police), Italian Civil Aviation Authority and Aeroporti di Roma S.p.A.. Ground handling services were provided by Aeroporti di Roma until 1999, when it created Aeroporti di Roma Handling (to serve all airlines except for Alitalia, which continued to be handled by Aeroporti di Roma itself). Alitalia provided passenger assistance even before 1999. In 2001, Alitalia created "Alitalia Airport" and started providing ground handling for itself and other airlines. Aeroporti di Roma Handling remains the biggest handler in terms of airlines handled, but Alitalia Airport is the biggest handler in terms of airplanes handled as Alitalia aircraft account for 50% of the ones at Fiumicino. In May 2006, Italy's Civil Aviation Authority announced that it took off the limitation of 3 ramp handlers in Rome Leonardo da Vinci airport. ARE Group and Aviapartner announced that they would create a company called Aviapartner (51% Aviapartner; 49% ARE Group) to serve Milan Malpensa and Rome Leonardo da Vinci.

Since 2005, the airport operates a category III B instrument landing system (ILS). Further improvement work was implemented in 2007 to enable the airport to handle 30 takeoffs/landings per hour, up from 10, in the event of thick fog. Three runways presently operate at Leonardo da Vinci airport: 16L/34R and 16R/34L (separated by a distance of 4000m (13,000feet)), and 07/25, used only westwards for takeoffs owing to the prevailing winds. The airport used to have a fourth runway, 16C/34C which was located alongside 16L/34R, it was mostly used as a taxiway or as a backup for 16L/34R; the runway is now designated as Taxiway "D".[7]

In 2010, the new single baggage handling system for more efficient luggage delivery began operations.

Several projects are planned. These include the construction of an environmentally-friendly cogeneration system, which would allow the airport to produce its own energy; the "Masterplan Fiumicino Nord", involving four new terminals and two new runways to be built in the future handling 100 million passengers per year.

Terminals

Overview

As of 2021, after major expansion and refurbishment works, the airport now features two terminals:

Development

The terminals were upgraded during the 1990s and 2000s.[9] In 1991, the domestic Pier A with 12 gates opened, followed in 1995 by the international Pier B with 10 gates and in 1999 by the international Satellite C with 14 gates. In 2000, the new domestic Terminal A opened, and the terminal buildings, then consisting of Terminal A (with Pier A), Terminal AA, Terminal B (with Pier B) and Terminal C (with Satellite C), were reorganized.

The dedicated Cargo City terminal was added in 2004, while the check-in counters for Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, American Airlines and El Al in Terminal 5 opened in 2008, with passengers then being bused to what was then called Satellite C.

In 2009, the terminals were renamed. Terminal A was renamed Terminal 1, Terminal AA was renamed T2, Terminals B and C were consolidated into Terminal 3, and Terminal 5 remained unchanged.

In January 2017, Terminal 5 was closed for renovations; a new central airside hall is currently being built in the middle section. The former Terminal 2 closed permanently on 15 December 2017 to make way for the north-west expansion of Terminal 1. A new three-storey boarding and waiting area, as well as a new Pier A with 13 boarding and 10 remote gates, have been built.[10]

From 17 March 2020 to 6 August 2021, Terminal 1 was closed due to decreased passenger traffic amidst the COVID-19 pandemic;[11] this pause was used to perform a redesign of the main hall layout, which increased the available passenger space.[12]

Future plans include a new Terminal 4, expansion of runways, and new buildings for car parking, services, and airport facilities.[13]

SkyBridge

An automated people mover (APM) called SkyBridge (Innovia APM 100) opened in 1999 along with the Satellite C. It consists of two stations, one on the third floor of Terminal 3, and the other on the second floor of gate area E31–44. This shuttle train is the only means of transport for passengers between the two sections of the terminal. The westbound service, from T3 to Gates E31–44, is for departing passengers only, while the eastbound service is for arriving passengers only. Arriving passengers are not permitted to take the train back, as they need to pass through a transfer security checkpoint to re-enter the departure area. Likewise, departing passengers are not permitted to take the train back to Terminal 3.

Airlines and destinations

The following airlines operate regular scheduled, seasonal and charter flights to and from Fiumicino:[14]

Statistics

Busiest domestic routes

Busiest domestic routes from/to Rome–Fiumicino (2023)[15]
RankRank
AirportPassengersAirline(s)
1Catania, SicilyAeroitalia, ITA Airways, Ryanair
2Palermo, SicilyAeroitalia, ITA Airways, Ryanair
3 1Milan-Linate, LombardyITA Airways
4 1Cagliari, SardiniaITA Airways
5Bari, ApuliaITA Airways, Ryanair
6Brindisi, ApuliaITA Airways, Ryanair
7Olbia, SardiniaAeroitalia, Volotea
8 3Turin, PiedmontITA Airways
9 3Venice, VenetoITA Airways
10Genoa, LiguriaITA Airways

Busiest European routes

Busiest European Routes from/to Rome–Fiumicino (2023)
RankRank
AirportPassengersAirline(s)
1 Madrid, SpainAir Europa, Iberia, ITA Airways, Wizz Air
2 Barcelona, SpainITA Airways, Ryanair, Vueling, Wizz Air
3 2 Paris–Orly, FranceeasyJet, Transavia, Vueling, Wizz Air
4 1 Paris–Charles de Gaulle, FranceITA Airways, Air France
5 3 London-Gatwick, United KingdomeasyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air
6 Athens, GreeceAegean Airlines, ITA Airways, Ryanair, Sky Express
7 London–Heathrow, United KingdomITA Airways, British Airways
8 4 Amsterdam, NetherlandsITA Airways, KLM
9 Brussels, BelgiumBrussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Ryanair
10 1 Frankfurt, GermanyITA Airways, Lufthansa
11 1 Munich, GermanyITA Airways, Lufthansa
12 Vienna, AustriaAustrian Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air
13 Istanbul, TurkeyTurkish Airlines
14 Lisbon, PortugalRyanair, TAP Air Portugal
15 1 Zürich, SwitzerlandITA Airways, Swiss International Air Lines
16 6 Dublin, IrelandAer Lingus, Ryanair
17 1 Nice, FranceITA Airways, easyJet, Wizz Air
18 3 Prague, Czech RepublicEurowings, Ryanair, Wizz Air
19 6 Valencia, SpainRyanair, Vueling, Wizz Air
20 1 Tirana, AlbaniaITA Airways, Air Albania, Wizz Air

Busiest intercontinental routes

Busiest intercontinental routes from/to Rome–Fiumicino (2023)
RankRank
AirportPassengersAirline(s)
1 New York–JFK, United StatesITA Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Norse Atlantic Airways
2 Tel Aviv, IsraelITA Airways, El Al, Vueling, Ryanair
3 Dubai–International, United Arab EmiratesEmirates
4 Doha, QatarQatar Airways
5 11 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesEtihad Airways
6 8 São Paulo–Guarulhos, BrazilITA Airways, LATAM Brasil
7 5 Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, ArgentinaAerolíneas Argentinas, ITA Airways
8 1 Toronto–Pearson, CanadaAir Canada, Air Transat, ITA Airways
9 6 Istanbul–Sabiha Gökçen, TurkeyPegasus Airlines, Turkish Airlines
10 4 Atlanta, United StatesDelta Air Lines
11 6 Newark, United StatesUnited Airlines
12 16 Seoul–Incheon, South KoreaAsiana Airlines, Korean Air
13 5 Montréal–Trudeau, CanadaAir Canada, Air Transat
14 1 Cairo, EgyptITA Airways, EgyptAir
15 5 Chicago–O'Hare, United StatesAmerican Airlines, United Airlines
16 7 Boston, United StatesDelta Air Lines, ITA Airways
17 6 Tunis, TunisiaITA Airways, Tunisair
18 4 Washington–Dulles, United StatesITA Airways, United Airlines
19 1 Dallas, United StatesAmerican Airlines
20 2 Miami, United StatesITA Airways

Ground transportation

The main transport link with the airport is the railway network, from Fiumicino Aeroporto station. The railway opened in December 1989, with non-stop and several stopping services available.[16]

Leonardo Express

Fiumicino Aeroporto railway station is served by the Leonardo Express train operated by Trenitalia, available at the airport terminal. It takes 30 minutes to get to Termini Station in the city center of Rome, with a non-stop trip that is provided every 15 minutes.[17]

FL lines

Leonardo da Vinci airport is also connected to Rome by the FL1 line, a suburban commuter and rapid transit line. Departing every 15 minutes, stopping at all stations. The FL1 line does not stop at Termini station, connects the airport with the other main stations of Rome where it is possible to change to the metro network, Trastevere (Tram lines 3 and 8), Ostiense (Metro Piramide), Tuscolana (Metro Ponte Lungo) or Roma Tiburtina (Metro Tiburtina).[18]

High-speed

The airport is also connected to the Italian high-speed network, the following connections depart from Fiumicino Aeroporto station:[19]

Road

Leonardo da Vinci is about 35km (22miles) by car from Rome's historic city centre. The airport is served by the six-lane Autostrada A91 motorway and numerous buses, shuttle buses, car sharing and taxis.

The airport is a terminus for local and national bus lines.

Added to these are the national connections operated by the companies Flixbus and Itabus.

It can be reached from the motorway:

And also from the following streets:

Rome Fiumicino airport is equipped with:

Leonardo da Vinci has improved the real-time info mobility service that is provided to passengers and airport operators on the leading connections from the airport. This new layout makes it easier for passengers to interpret information on connections to and from the airport. They have also upgraded road surfaces in the arrival areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 to let taxis pull up to the platform more easily and make it easier for passengers to get off.[23]

Incidents and accidents

From the 1960s until the 1980s, the airport experienced significant aircraft hijackings as well as being the scene of two major terrorist attacks and the port of origin for an aircraft bombing in flight—some engendered by Palestinians as part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

External links


Notes and References

  1. Web site: Assaeroporti. 30 March 2022. 16 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220416011023/https://assaeroporti.com/wp-content/plugins/multipage_xls_reader/pdf_file/2021.pdf. live.
  2. Web site: Statistiche Dati di Traffico Aeroportuale Italiano . 2023-02-21 . Assaeroporti . it-IT . 8 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131208020646/https://assaeroporti.com/statistiche/ . live .
  3. Web site: Adobe Acrobat. acrobat.adobe.com. 23 March 2023. 23 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230323204117/https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:dc837665-1faa-4ef0-8ad5-2181cfbb4f89. live.
  4. Web site: Rome's Fiumicino wins Best Airport in Europe for third year in a row. Turismo Roma. 6 November 2022. 6 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221106131607/https://www.turismoroma.it/en/news/rome%E2%80%99s-fiumicino-wins-best-airport-europe-third-year-row. live.
  5. Web site: Museum of the Roman ships from Fiumicino . Italian Ministry of Culture . 8 June 2023 . 8 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608161828/https://www.ostiaantica.beniculturali.it/en/archaeological-sites-and-monuments/museum-of-roman-ships-fiumicino/ . live .
  6. Web site: Fiumicino: Italy's Fast Growing Airport | Italy . 31 May 2012 . Lifeinitaly.com . 25 April 2014 . 10 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130210050352/http://www.lifeinitaly.com/travel/da-vinci-airport.asp . live .
  7. Jeppesen Data dated 5 June 2020
  8. Web site: Airport map. 25 July 2021. 11 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220811020219/https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-airport-map. live.
  9. News: Expansion projects at Fiumicino . Airport Technology . Airport-technology.com . 15 June 2011 . 25 April 2014 . 20 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140220133713/http://www.airport-technology.com/projects/leonardodavinci/ . live .
  10. Web site: Helen . Norman. Transforming the passenger experience at Rome-Fiumicino Airport. 16 April 2021.
  11. Web site: Rome Fiumicino airport reopens Terminal 1. 6 August 2021. 1 September 2021. 1 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901222041/https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-fiumicino-airport-to-reopen-terminal-1.html. live.
  12. Web site: Dal 6 Agosto Riapre l'Area Check-In del Terminal 1 Completamente Rinnovata. 1 September 2021. 1 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901222040/https://centreforaviation.com/members/direct-news/dal-6-agosto-riapre-larea-check-in-del-terminal-1-completamente-rinnovata-570886. live.
  13. Web site: The Terminals – AEROPORTI DI ROMA. AEROPORTI DI ROMA. 1 September 2021. 1 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901222040/https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/the-terminals. live.
  14. Web site: Compagnie aeree. 10 September 2020. 5 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230405235337/https://www.adr.it/compagnie-aeree-fco. dead.
  15. Web site: Dati di traffico 2023. 16 April 2024. 17 April 2024. ENAC. it. pdf.
  16. News: Flight International. 23 May 1987. Archived copy. 5. 5 June 2011. 7 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120307001136/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%200495.html?search=%22Bakhtar%20Afghan%20Airlines%22. dead.
  17. Web site: Leonardo express - Trenitalia. www.trenitalia.com.
  18. Web site: Arrivo in Treno. https://web.archive.org/web/20090223052844/http://www.adr.it/portal/portal/adr/Fiumicino/Servizi/Come_raggiungerci/Arrivo_in_treno_FCO . 23 February 2009 .
  19. Web site: Connections to and from Rome Fiumicino Airport - Trenitalia. www.trenitalia.com.
  20. Web site: Bus to and from Rome. Aeroporti di Roma.
  21. Web site: Airport Connection - Connections with Airports.
  22. Web site: Dove si trova l'aeroporto. 23 April 2018. it.
  23. https://www.adr.it/documents/17615/19795952/11_ENG_Report+on+the+quality+plan.pdf/327199d2-ca7c-44be-ac7b-3d250063425b
  24. Michael Ashkenazi . Mawuena Amuzu . Jan Grebe . Christof Kögler . Marc Kösling . brief 47 – MANPADS – A Terrorist Threat to Civilian Aviation? . 18 September 2021 . 21 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180821031811/https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/160759/BICC_brief_47.pdf . live .
  25. Ramsden . J. M. . Rome hijacking . Flight International . 27 December 1973 . 104 . 3380 . 1010 . IPC Transport Press Ltd . 11 February 2015 . flightglobal.com/pdfarchive . ... ran on to the apron and two phosphorus bombs were thrown into the front and rear entrances of a Pan American 707 Celestial Clipper, with 170 passengers on board . 11 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150211162719/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1973/1973%20-%203057.html . live .
  26. Web site: Hijacking description: Monday 17 December 1973 . aviation-safety.net . . 11 February 2015 . 11 February 2015 . 18 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110618193810/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19731217-0 . live .
  27. Web site: Official Italian accident report issued by ANSV and its english translation. 9 February 2017 . Aviation Accidents Database. 25 February 2017. 26 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170226132244/http://www.aviation-accidents.net/carpatair-atr72-500-yr-ats-flight-az1670/. live.
  28. Web site: Posted by foxcrawl at 2:31 am . Carpatair ATR-72 plane overruns runway on landing in Rome . Foxcrawl . 6 February 2013 . 6 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130206014218/http://www.foxcrawl.com/2013/02/03/carpatair-atr-72-plane-overruns-runway-on-landing-in-rome/ . live .
  29. News: Squires. Nick. Alitalia paints over crashed plane's markings. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/9847651/Alitalia-paints-over-crashed-planes-markings.html . 12 January 2022 . subscription . live. 13 February 2013. Telegraph. 4 February 2013.
  30. Web site: Wizz A320 evacuated after gear emergency at Rome. FlightGlobal. 18 April 2021. 18 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418144537/https://www.flightglobal.com/wizz-a320-evacuated-after-gear-emergency-at-rome/110057.article. live.