Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO), commonly known as Fiumicino Airport, serves as Rome’s primary international gateway and Italy’s busiest airport. Located in the coastal town of Fiumicino, approximately 32 kilometers southwest of Rome’s historic center, this modern aviation hub connects the Eternal City to destinations across the globe while serving as a vital economic engine for the region.
FCO History
The story of Rome’s main airport begins in the mid-20th century when it became clear that the city’s original airport, Ciampino, could no longer accommodate growing air traffic. Construction of a new airport near the coastal town of Fiumicino began in 1956, on land that was once part of the ancient port of Rome.
Leonardo da Vinci International Airport officially opened on January 15, 1961, with two runways and a single terminal building. The facility was named after Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned Italian Renaissance polymath who designed one of the first conceptual flying machines, honoring Italy’s historical connection to aviation innovation.
The timing of the airport’s opening was strategic, coinciding with Rome hosting the 1960 Summer Olympics, though it wasn’t fully operational until after the games concluded. The initial design was considered revolutionary for its time, featuring a pier-based terminal concept that allowed for efficient passenger processing.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the airport underwent several expansions to accommodate growing passenger numbers and Italy’s increasing prominence as a tourist destination. A significant development came in 1973 with the opening of Terminal B (now part of Terminal 1), followed by additional terminal expansions in the following decades.
The airport experienced a major modernization in preparation for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2000, which brought millions of additional visitors to Rome. This included terminal renovations, improved ground transportation links, and enhanced passenger facilities.
In recent years, the most significant development has been the opening of Terminal 3 in 2008 and the new Terminal E in 2017, dramatically increasing the airport’s capacity and modernizing its facilities to compete with other major European hubs.
FCO Quick Facts
- Official Name: Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Aeroporto Internazionale Leonardo da Vinci)
- IATA Code: FCO
- ICAO Code: LIRF
- Location: Fiumicino, Rome, Italy
- Elevation: 5 meters (15 feet) above sea level
- Size: Approximately 1,590 hectares (3,930 acres)
- Runways: Four runways (16L/34R, 16C/34C, 16R/34L, and 07/25)
- Terminals: Four main terminal areas (T1, T2 [currently closed], T3, and T5)
- Operating Hours: 24/7
- Distance from Rome City Center: 32 kilometers (20 miles)
- Operator: Aeroporti di Roma (ADR)
- Named After: Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Renaissance polymath and aviation pioneer
- Nickname: Fiumicino Airport, after the town where it’s located
Key Statistics
Leonardo da Vinci International Airport has established itself as Italy’s premier aviation gateway. Before the global pandemic, the airport was consistently handling over 43 million passengers annually, ranking it as the 11th busiest airport in Europe and among the top 50 worldwide.
In its record year of 2019, FCO processed 43.5 million passengers, including approximately 31 million international travelers, underscoring Rome’s importance as both a destination and connecting hub. The airport manages approximately 900 aircraft movements daily during peak seasons, connecting Rome to over 200 destinations across the globe.
The airport serves as a crucial economic engine for the region, generating an estimated €13 billion in annual economic activity and supporting approximately 230,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the Lazio region. The airport complex itself employs roughly 30,000 people across various airlines, ground handlers, retail concessions, and operational staff.
Cargo operations are significant, with the airport handling approximately 230,000 metric tonnes of freight annually. This positions FCO as an important logistics hub for Italy, particularly for high-value goods and pharmaceuticals.
Transit passengers make up roughly 30% of the airport’s traffic, highlighting FCO’s dual role as both a destination airport for Rome and a connecting hub for onward travel, particularly to destinations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa.
The composition of traffic is diverse, with approximately 70% international passengers and 30% domestic travelers. Seasonal fluctuations are notable, with summer months typically seeing passenger numbers 20-30% higher than winter months, reflecting Rome’s popularity as a summer tourist destination.
Facilities
Leonardo da Vinci International Airport offers passengers a comprehensive range of facilities spread across its terminal complex:
Terminal 1: Primarily serving flights within Europe’s Schengen Area, including many Alitalia (now ITA Airways) domestic and short-haul operations. The terminal features a bright, modern design following recent renovations, with a good selection of shops and dining options.
Terminal 3: The largest terminal, handling most international flights, particularly long-haul operations and non-Schengen European services. Recently expanded, it offers extensive duty-free shopping, premium dining venues, and improved passenger processing facilities.
Terminal 5: A specialized facility primarily handling flights to the United States and Israel, with enhanced security procedures. Currently undergoing redevelopment.
Shopping: Over 130 retail outlets operate across the terminals, offering everything from luxury Italian fashion brands like Gucci, Prada, and Bulgari to local specialties including food, wine, and crafts. The central “Plaza” area in Terminal 3 serves as a high-end shopping district.
Dining: More than 50 food and beverage options span the terminals, featuring authentic Italian cuisine, international chains, and fine dining restaurants. Notable is the presence of renowned Roman eateries that bring local flavor to the airport experience.
Lounges: Multiple premium lounges serve business and first-class passengers, including the acclaimed Alitalia (now ITA Airways) “Casa Alitalia” lounges, as well as independent lounges available to all travelers for a fee or through priority pass programs.
Services: Business centers, currency exchange booths, banking services, pharmacies, and medical assistance facilities are available throughout the terminals. Multi-faith prayer rooms accommodate travelers of various religious backgrounds.
Accommodations: The airport houses two on-site hotels—the Hilton Rome Airport connected directly to the terminals via covered walkway, and the Air Rooms inside Terminal 3 offering hourly room rentals for transit passengers.
Special Features: The airport showcases Italian art and culture through permanent and rotating exhibitions, including archaeological displays featuring artifacts discovered during the airport’s construction and expansion.
Airlines and Destinations
Leonardo da Vinci Airport serves as the primary hub for ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia), Italy’s flag carrier. Other airlines with significant presence include Ryanair, which has established a growing base at FCO in recent years, and Vueling, which uses Rome as a focus city.
Major international carriers serving FCO include Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, among many others.
The airport’s extensive route network includes:
- Domestic: All major Italian cities and regional destinations, with particularly frequent service to Milan, Naples, Venice, and Sicily
- European: Comprehensive coverage of major European cities, with Paris, London, Madrid, Frankfurt, and Athens among the busiest routes
- North America: New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal
- Asia: Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Delhi, Tel Aviv, Bangkok
- Middle East: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Istanbul, Cairo
- Africa: Casablanca, Tunis, Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and various North African destinations
- South America: São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro
Ground Transportation
FCO offers multiple options for reaching Rome and surrounding areas:
Leonardo Express: This dedicated non-stop train connects the airport directly to Rome’s central Termini Station in just 32 minutes, with trains departing every 15-30 minutes. The service operates from 5:35 AM until 11:35 PM daily.
FL1 Regional Train: A more economical option stopping at multiple stations including Trastevere, Ostiense, and Tiburtina, though not serving Termini directly. Trains run approximately every 15 minutes during peak hours.
Airport Buses: Several companies operate coach services between FCO and central Rome, including Terravision, T.A.M., and SIT Bus Shuttle. These typically operate from the bus station outside Terminal 3, with journey times of 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.
Taxis: Official white taxis operate on a fixed fare system for trips between the airport and central Rome (within the Aurelian Walls), currently set at €50 inclusive of luggage and up to four passengers.
Ride-sharing: Services like Uber operate in a limited capacity, with Uber Black being the primary service available due to Italian transportation regulations.
Car Rentals: All major international and Italian car rental companies maintain service counters in a dedicated facility connected to the terminal complex by shuttle bus.
Hotel Shuttles: Many area hotels offer complimentary or paid shuttle service for their guests.
Highway Access: The airport is well-connected to Italy’s highway network via the A91 Rome-Fiumicino motorway, which provides direct access to Rome’s ring road (Grande Raccordo Anulare) and the city center.
Future Development
Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is undergoing significant development as part of Aeroporti di Roma’s ambitious “Fiumicino 2030” master plan:
The Rome South Expansion represents the most significant development, which will increase the airport’s capacity to handle over 60 million passengers annually by 2030. This includes a new terminal complex to the south of the existing facilities, adding approximately 700,000 square meters of terminal space.
Sustainability Initiatives: FCO has committed to carbon neutrality by 2030, with plans including a 30MW solar farm, electric vehicle infrastructure, and sustainable aviation fuel availability. The airport recently became the first in Italy to introduce SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) for commercial flights.
Terminal Renovations: The existing terminals are undergoing phased modernization, with Terminal 1 recently completed and Terminal 3 currently being upgraded to improve passenger flow and enhance commercial areas.
Ground Transportation Enhancement: The plan includes improved rail connectivity, including potential high-speed rail integration and additional Leonardo Express services to accommodate growing passenger numbers.
Smart Airport Technology: Implementation of biometric processing throughout the passenger journey, advanced baggage handling systems, and improved digital services aims to create a more seamless travel experience.
Cargo City Development: A new dedicated cargo area with increased capacity and improved logistics capabilities is planned to support growth in air freight, particularly in high-value sectors.
Fourth Runway Development: Long-term plans include the potential construction of a fourth parallel runway to increase airfield capacity during peak hours.
Airport City Concept: Development of commercial facilities, business centers, and expanded hospitality options in the airport vicinity aims to create an “aerotropolis” that serves as a business destination in its own right.
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