Rome Fiumicino airport is looking to a future that will see it managing up to 100 million passengers a year, almost doubling its current capacity with an investment plan of €5 million.
Aeroporti di Roma is planning for 100 million passengers annually
Aeroporti di Roma, which currently handles almost 50 million passengers annually, has presented an updated masterplan with a significant expansion project involving around 260 hectares, 151 of which are in a protected area. The area will subsequently be returned or compensated with environmental interventions, creating a park of 85 hectares.
The airport will get a fourth runway
The centrepiece of this huge project is the construction of a fourth runway that will be built within the perimeter of the existing airport, parallel to the existing runway 3. It's not just a question of runways and internal infrastructure, work will also be done on the external road network. One important aspect is the improvement of the road that connects Rome to the airport. In addition to the inauguration of Pedalaria, the cycle path connecting the city centre to the airport, a new road structure is planned with an investment of €250 million.
Some 53 million passengers are expected this year
The official go-ahead from the institutions is still pending, as part of a process that includes the subsequent technical clearance from ENAC (the Italian Civil Aviation Authority), the “Environmental Impact Assessment” process, and the services conference: 18-24 months in all. Then planning permission will be needed for the expropriations and the start of work. And in the meantime? This year 53.5 million passengers are expected and Leonardo da Vinci can handle up to 60-62 million: consequently 2027-2028 risks being critical, with ITA Airways struggling to guarantee feeder flights for its intercontinental flights. In 2029-2030, depending on the scenario, the system may not be able to meet the potential demand for travel adequately if the project doesn't start as soon as possible.
