Rome Fiumicino Airport
Main airport serving Rome, Italy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport (Italian: Aeroporto internazionale di Roma-Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci") (IATA: FCO, ICAO: LIRF) is an international airport in Fiumicino, Italy, serving Rome, its metropolitan area, Vatican City and the wider Lazio region. It is the busiest airport in the country, the eighth-busiest airport in Europe and the world's 39th-busiest airport with over 51 million passengers served in 2025.[2] It covers an area of 16 km2 (6.2 sq mi).[3]
Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport Aeroporto internazionale di Roma-Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci" | |||||||||||||||||||
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.jpeg) Satellite view of the airport in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operator | Aeroporti di Roma | ||||||||||||||||||
| Serves | Fiumicino Rome Lazio region Vatican City | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Fiumicino, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Lazio, Italy | ||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 15 January 1961 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hub for | ITA Airways Poste Air Cargo | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating base for | |||||||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 15 ft / 5 m | ||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 41°48′01″N 012°14′20″E | ||||||||||||||||||
| Website | adr.it | ||||||||||||||||||
| Maps | |||||||||||||||||||
 Airport map | |||||||||||||||||||
  FCO/LIRF Location of airport in Italy  FCO/LIRF FCO/LIRF (Italy) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2024) | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Source:[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
Fiumicino serves as the main hub for ITA Airways, the Italian flag carrier and the largest airline in the country, and Poste Air Cargo. It was previously the hub for Alitalia, the defunct airline that was Italy's largest and main flag carrier. It is also an operating base for several other airlines, such as AeroItalia, easyJet, Neos, Ryanair, Vueling and Wizz Air. The airport is managed by Aeroporti di Roma (ADR), part of the Italian transport holding company Mundys.
Opened in 1961, it is in Fiumicino, 30 km (19 mi) south of Rome, and is named for Italian polymath Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519). Reproductions of his most famous works and inventions are displayed at the airport.
History
Early years
During construction, the remains of some Roman ships were found.[4]
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.[5]
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..[citation needed] 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 three 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.[citation needed]
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 4,000 m (13,000 ft)), 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".[6]
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.[citation needed]
Terrorist attacks
Rome-Fiumicino airport has been hit twice by terrorist attacks: the first in 1973 (34 deaths) following the expulsion of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Jordan and the Jordanian–Palestinian civil war, and the second in 1985 (19 deaths +4 terrorists) part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, presumably linked to Abu Nidal Organization.[7][8]
Terminals
Overview
As of 2021, after major expansion and refurbishment works, the airport now features two terminals:
- Terminal 1 (Gates A1–A83)[9] home base to ITA Airways
- Terminal 3 (Gates E1–E61)[9] is the largest terminal. It also incorporates the former Terminal 5 as well as the satellite building for non-Schengen departures. A new central airside hall has been built as its middle part in recent years.
Development
The terminals were upgraded during the 1990s and 2000s.[10] 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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[11][12]
From 17 March 2020 to 6 August 2021, Terminal 1 was closed due to decreased passenger traffic amidst the COVID-19 pandemic;[13] this pause was used to perform a redesign of the main hall layout, which increased the available passenger space.[11]
Future plans include a new Terminal 4, expansion of runways, and new buildings for car parking, services, and airport facilities.[14][15][16]
SkyBridge
An automated people mover (APM) called SkyBridge (Innovia APM 100) opened in 1999 along with the Satellite C.[17] 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. Departing passengers are permitted to take the train back to Terminal 3. However, as departing passengers mix with arriving passengers, all passengers must exit the train in the main terminal building T3 and departing passengers have to clear security again.
Airlines and destinations
The following airlines operate regular scheduled, seasonal and charter flights to and from Fiumicino:[18]
Statistics
Graph
Busiest domestic routes
| Rank | Rank (v. 2022) | Airport | Passengers | Airline(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |  1,559,129 | ||
| 2 | | 1,392,419 | ||
| 3 | 1 | 870,619 | ||
| 4 |  1 | 720,227 | ||
| 5 | | 624,548 | ||
| 6 | | 448,344 | ||
| 7 | | 396,178 | ||
| 8 | 3 | 331,136 | ||
| 9 | 3 | 322,263 | ||
| 10 | | 298,846 |
Busiest European routes
| Rank | Rank (v. 2022) | Airport | Passengers | Airline(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 1,751,366 | ||
| 2 | | 1,484,641 | ||
| 3 | 2 | 1,092,396 | ||
| 4 | 1 | 929,334 | ||
| 5 | 3 | 797,330 | ||
| 6 | | 746,210 | ||
| 7 | | 722,036 | ||
| 8 | 4 | 732,897 | ||
| 9 | | 606,155 | ||
| 10 | 1 | 569,076 | ||
| 11 | 1 | 568,457 | ||
| 12 | | 553,646 | ||
| 13 | | 476,857 | ||
| 14 | | 441,989 | ||
| 15 | 1 | 449,450 | ||
| 16 | 6 | 432,117 | ||
| 17 | 1 | 390,372 | ||
| 18 | 3 | 388,174 | ||
| 19 | 6 | 376,570 | ||
| 20 | 1 | 349,489 |
Busiest intercontinental routes
| Rank | Rank (v. 2022) | Airport | Passengers | Airline(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 981,030 |
ITA Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Norse Atlantic Airways | |
| 2 | | 579,317 | ||
| 3 | | 520,871 | ||
| 4 | | 426,492 | ||
| 5 | 11 | 366,058 | ||
| 6 | 8 | 351,907 | ||
| 7 | 5 | 316,967 | ||
| 8 | 1 | 312,095 | ||
| 9 | 6 | 308,053 | ||
| 10 | 4 | 291,981 | ||
| 11 | 6 | 279,049 | ||
| 12 | 16 | 266,282 | ||
| 13 | 5 | 264,307 | ||
| 14 | 1 | 257,794 | ||
| 15 | 5 | 266,117 | ||
| 16 | 7 | 216,286 | ||
| 17 | 6 | 195,603 | ||
| 18 | 4 | 192,329 | ||
| 19 | 1 | 180,299 | ||
| 20 | 2 | 168,185 |
Ground transport
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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.[280] The railway section to the airport was opened in May 1990, and uses the Rome-Fiumicino railway infrastructure.[281]
FL lines
Leonardo da Vinci airport is also connected to Rome by the FL1 line, a suburban commuter and rapid transit line. The FL1 line does not provide a direct connection to Termini station, but connects the city by stopping at all stations between the airport and the northern outskirts of the city, with trains running every 15 minutes. It stops at most of Rome's main stations where it is possible to change to the metro, tram, and bus network: Trastevere (Tram lines 3 and 8), Ostiense (Metro Piramide), Tuscolana (Metro Ponte Lungo) or Roma Tiburtina (Metro Tiburtina).[282]
High-speed
The airport is also connected to the Italian high-speed network, the following connections depart from Fiumicino Aeroporto station:[283]
- Frecciarossa (from 9 December 2018): which connects it to Venice via the national high-speed network with intermediate stops in Roma Termini, Roma Tiburtina, Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Bologna and Padua (frequency two pairs of trains per day).
- Frecciarossa (from 12 July 2022): which connects to Naples via the national high-speed network with intermediate stops in Napoli Afragola and Roma Termini.
Road
Leonardo da Vinci is about 35 km (22 mi) by car from Rome's historic city centre. The airport is also served by different categories of transport: buses, shuttle buses, car sharing and taxis.
The airport is a terminus for local and national bus lines:
Night connection COTRAL[284] Fiumicino Airport - Roma Termini - Roma Tiburtina station- Connection COTRAL[284] Cornelia Metro line A - Fregene - Fiumicino Airport
- Connection COTRAL[284] Lido di Ostia Centro - Isola Sacra - Fiumicino Airport
- Connection COTRAL[284] EUR Magliana Metro line B - Fiumicino City - Fiumicino Airport
- Connection COTRAL[284] Latina - Fiumicino Airport
- TERRAVISION SHUTTLE connection Roma Termini - Fiumicino Airport
- Schiaffini Bus Connection Roma Termini - Fiumicino Airport
- SIT BUS SHUTTLE connection Roma Termini - Piazza Cavour - Fiumicino Airport
- Tam Bus connection Roma Ostiense - Fiumicino Airport
- AIRPORT CONNECTION connection[285] Fiumicino Airport - Rome Bus Rental
Added to these are the national connections operated by the companies Flixbus and Itabus.
It can be reached from the highways:
And also from the following streets:
state road which connects Ostia to Fiumicino;- SP1 Via Portuense provincial road which connects Fiumicino with Rome.
Rome Fiumicino airport is equipped with:
- Multi-storey car parks P-Terminal (A-B-C-D)
- Long-term parking
- Executive parking
- Parking for motorcycles (available on the ground floor of the Multi-storey P-Terminal A).[286]
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.[287]
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.
- On 23 November 1964, TWA Flight 800, operated by a Boeing 707, had an engine catch fire during takeoff. 50 of the 73 passengers and crew on board were killed.[citation needed]
- On 15 January 1973, a number of extremists planned to attack Prime Minister Golda Meir's plane at Fiumicino airport. They placed Strela missiles inside a number of vehicles at certain locations around the airport, but Italian and Israeli authorities were able to intercept them.[288]
- On 17 December 1973, during the 1973 Rome airport attacks and hijacking, a Boeing 707-321B operating as Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) Flight 110 was attacked by Palestinian assailants. 30 passengers were killed when phosphorus bombs were thrown aboard the aircraft as it was preparing for departure.[289] During the same incident a Lufthansa Boeing 737 (D-ABEY)[290] was hijacked and landed at Athens, Damascus and finally in Kuwait. All remaining passengers and crew were then released.[289] Two people died in the incident.[290]
- On 25 December 1974, while flying from Beirut to Rome, Air India Flight 105, a Boeing 747-237B, was hijacked by a 31-year-old male passenger. The crew was able to subdue the hijacker, who was handed over to top Italian police officers after landing.[291]
- On 19 November 1977, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 707-360C, a cargo flight, crashed after takeoff 0.5 km (0.3 mi) W of FCO. The plane barely gained height after takeoff from runway 25, reaching a height of 7–8 m (23–26 ft), contacting treetops, and struck the ground 280 m (920 ft) further on. All five occupants (three crew, two passengers) were killed. Unconfirmed reports indicated the plane was overloaded.[292]
- On 27 December 1985, during the Rome and Vienna airport attacks, assailants shot and killed 16 people and wounded 99 others at the check-in counter. Most perpetrators were shot by security and police officers.[citation needed]
- On 17 October 1988, Uganda Airlines Flight 775 from London Gatwick to Entebbe International Airport via Fiumicino, crashed short of the runway after two missed approaches. Twenty-six of the 45 passengers aboard, as well as all seven crew members, died.[citation needed]
- On 2 February 2013, Alitalia Flight 1670, operated by a leased ATR 72, en route from Pisa International Airport to Rome, overran the runway during landing. 16 occupants were injured, two of them seriously. The aircraft was subsequently written off.[293][294][295]
- On 8 June 2013, Wizz Air Flight 3141, an Airbus A320-232 (registration HA-LWM) from Bucharest – Henri Coandă Airport, Romania to Rome-Ciampino, Italy, made an emergency landing at Fiumicino Airport when the crew encountered problems lowering one of the main undercarriages and locking it into position. The aircraft diverted to Fiumicino because of the longer runway, and firefighters applied foam after landing as a precautionary measure. The aircraft was evacuated using slides. Initial reports of injured passengers were denied by both Wizz Air and Rome Fiumicino Airport, who said some passengers requested medical checkups but reported no injuries.[296]
