In 2026 Aeroporti di Roma will be on a path of growth and innovation: Ivan Bassato's vision.
5 Skytrax stars, and ACI’s Best Airport in Europe
Consolidation, marked growth, especially on the international front, and a drive for innovation, including AI. These are just some of the issues highlighted by Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer of ADR, who looks at 2025 as a year that has seen Roma Fiumicino “maintain the 5 Skytrax stars and confirm itself for the eighth consecutive year as ACI’s Best Airport in Europe.”
What 2025 was like for Roma Fiumicino?
"2025 was a year of strong consolidation and growth for Fiumicino, which we expect to surpass the 50 million passenger threshold, confirming us as one of Europe’s main hubs. After a record-breaking 2024 - in which we were the airport with the highest growth among the EU's major airports (+21% vs 2023 and +13% vs 2019) - Fiumicino strengthened its network, which now has some 100 carriers, 80 countries served and more than 230 connected destinations. This year Fiumicino saw the opening of over 30 new routes, including 13 new destinations served directly, including Denver, Mauritius and Minneapolis, and Cathay Pacific's return to Hong Kong, as well as six new carriers choosing to operate on Rome. In the first ten months of the year traffic at Fiumicino grew by 4.4% over 2024, and by +17.3% over to pre-Covid levels, with international traffic being the main growth driver. The cargo sector is also giving us great satisfaction, with Fiumicino establishing itself not only as a logistics benchmark for Central Italy, but also as a new strategic cargo hub within the multi-hub development of Lufthansa Cargo.”
Innovation is increasingly central to Aeroporti di Roma's strategy...
"Of course. Innovation is a fundamental strategic element: our goal is to transform Rome’s two airports into a digital, sustainable and efficient smart city. We have launched an industrial conversion, integrating Artificial Intelligence into the services offered to passengers and in operations. This allows us to improve punctuality, efficiency and the quality of the travel experience, positioning Fiumicino and Ciampino as benchmarks for airport innovation. Thanks to Outsight, we monitor passenger flows in real time, preventing congestion and optimizing space. ADR has also launched its conversational assistant to enhance direct interaction with our users. Regarding operations, to ensure high performance and punctuality, we have implemented tools such as Assaia Apron AI, which monitors aircraft turnaround with computer vision and AI, including the Aeroficial Intelligence platform that tracks aircraft movements in the airspace, runways and taxiways. In addition, there are safety solutions such as Argos AI, which automatically detects FOD (Foreign Object Debris) using cameras and deep learning, and thereby reducing operational risks, and we have a new automatic connection system for boarding bridges.”
The main network and carrier innovations for 2026?
“2026 promises to be a year of further expansion, both on long-haul and European networks. Among the main intercontinental novelties, Qantas will almost double its capacity on the Perth-Rome route, extending the operating period and adding frequencies. In the North American market Alaska Airlines will make its debut with new Seattle-Rome flights, while Delta will operate the same route, confirming the growing demand and the role of Rome as a transatlantic gateway. ITA Airways, with its entry into the Lufthansa group, will further strengthen Fiumicino's position as a southern European hub. There is news also on the European front: easyJet will launch flights from Glasgow and Birmingham, Norwegian will fly from Billund, Lot will add Krakow, while Wizz Air will open new routes from Podgorica and Bratislava."
What's new for passengers on international flights?
"In early summer additional baggage reclaim belts were introduced to T3, as well as new e-gates for passport control. The baggage reclaim area in T1 has not only been given three new belts, but has also been extended with areas available for passengers and operators. Also at T1 two new lounges for premium passengers will be opened by Christmas. A new lounge will also be available at Pier E in 2026. Next year we are also planning a reconfiguration and expansion of the arrivals border area in order to welcome passengers in a newer and more comfortable environment. From 2022, there will be a number of Pet Areas at the airport in both the transit and arrivals and departures areas.”
What changes has the adoption of the Entry-Exit System made at the airport?
"The reorganization of flows in the passport control area is a necessary adjustment to the entry into force of the Entry-Exit System (EES). On 12 October the EES was activated at Roma Fiumicino in advance, with redesigned layouts and flow management methods to allow the acquisition of the biometric and documentary data required by the regulations. We have made 71 EES self-service kiosks operational out of the nearly 200 that ADR installed over three years ago. These are for passengers of non-Schengen nationality in possession of biometric passports and over 12 years of age, the aim being to support the registration process and progressively facilitate the adaptation to the new procedure.”
