Abruzzo’s Pescara Airport is thinking big and aiming at attracting intercontinental flights.
An extended runway for intercontinental flights
Reaching Abruzzo with a direct flight from overseas? The project could be more realistic than you might think now that Pescara International Airport has completed the extension of its runway. With the additional 400 metres, bringing the total length to 2,800 metres, the airport “will also be able to accommodate intercontinental flights,” explains SAGA the management company. “We are working on, it, discussing with new airlines, with whom we are in constant contact to ensure a couple of iconic destinations.” The runway extension was also accompanied by an upgrade of the landing equipment, meaning increased safety.
One million one hundred thousand passengers
While awaiting further developments, Pescara International Airport is aiming for a new record-breaking season. Throughout the summer the airport will be connected to a record 24 domestic and international destinations. “These expectations are in addition to the results we achieved in 2025. Today we have an increasingly connected airport that has exceeded one million one hundred thousand passengers, recording a 35% growth in passenger numbers, and making it the leading airport in Italy (with more than one million passengers) for the largest increase in travellers compared to the previous year.”
Abruzzo National Park - credits: Saga
Abruzzo is the green heart of Europe
With an increase in destinations and frequencies during the winter season and planned for the upcoming summer, and the results achieved in 2025, "which have already taken us beyond the one million mark, the expectation for 2026 is to reach approximately 1.4 million passengers. The international segment accounts for 51% of total traffic. There is also a substantial balance between incoming and outgoing destinations which is important for tourism and the economic development of the entire region.” Abruzzo is “green heart of Europe” with three national parks - Majella, Gran Sasso-Laga, Abruzzo-Lazio-Molise - and one regional park, as well as a marine protected area and over 30 nature reserves.
credits: Saga
Pescara International Airport relies on low-cost airlines
Pescara International Airport “relies exclusively on low-cost airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air as well as Luxair - with the Irish airline accounting for 89% of regional traffic. Since last year Ryanair has invested further in the airport, with a second aircraft based there, and increased destinations and frequencies, thanks to the Region's decision to abolish the municipal surcharge. This was a forward-looking choice which, by eliminating boarding fees for airlines, has made the airport much more attractive to other carriers. Wizz Air has also strengthened its presence, and we are confident that other airlines will also have a growing interest in operating at Pescara International Airport.”
