Colosseum-Rome-Italy

Rome – the capital city of Italy – is served by two airports: Ciampino Airport and Leonardo da Vinci Airport.

Italy ranks as the third most visited country in Europe, following France and Spain. Although Italy’s overall economic growth is expected to stagnate in the coming years, its thriving tourism industry is poised to skyrocket further.

According to the latest study by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, more than 62 million tourists headed to Italy in 2018 – a figure forecast to increase every year.

If you’re planning to operate to Italy anytime soon, our aviation guideline here can help you better navigate Italy’s busy skies and avoid any inconveniences and delays.

1. MAIN AIRPORTS

Italy has a total of 77 airports, making it especially accessible by air travel. Rome – the capital city – is served by two airports: Leonardo da Vinci Airport and Ciampino Airport.

Ciampino–G.B. Pastine International Airport [CIA, LIRA]

Ciampino Airport is the secondary international airport serving Rome and is an important entry airport for general aviation (executive and charter flights). Ciampino Airport is about 25 minutes away from Rome by car without traffic.

LIRA is home to a dedicated General Aviation Terminal. Jetex Italy is stationed in LIRA, providing complete ground support and can arrange services across all main airports in the country.

Leonardo da Vinci Airport [FCO, LIRF]

Leonardo da Vinci Airport is the largest airport in Rome, catering to international and domestic flights. It is also one of the busiest airports in Europe, with around 43 million passengers annually.

Located in the town of Fiumicino, Leonardo da Vinci Airport is also known as Rome Fiumicino Airport and is around 30 minutes away by car (without traffic) from Rome’s downtown area.

Other Main Airports in Italy:

  • Pisa International Airport (PSA, LIRP) – South Pisa
  • Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP, LIMC) – Milan
  • Milan Linate Airport (LIN, LIML) – Milan
  • Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR, LIRQ) – Florence (Formally known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport)
  • Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY, LIME) – Bergamo (Also known as Milan Bergamo Airport)
  • Venice Airport Marco Polo (VCE, LIPZ) – Venice
  • Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA, LICC) – Catania (Also known as Vincenzo Bellini Airport)
  • Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ, LIPE) – Bologna
  • Naples International Airport (NAP, LIRN) – Naples
  • Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO, LICJ) – Palermo (Also simply known as Palermo Airport)

Parking and Slots

All private and commercial flights that operate aircraft with less than 19 seats can obtain a PPR (to be put in item 18 of the flight plan) to have their parking confirmed.

All commercial aircraft with more than 19 seats need slots to operate in any airfield. Slots can be applied directly by the operator or through Jetex Italy with a power of attorney from the operator. Assoclearance is the entity that manages slots in Italy.

NOTE: This guide provides general information on Italy’s airports. However, some airports may have different guidelines. Get in touch with Jetex Italy if you have inquiries.

2. GROUND HANDLING

Handling is mandatory in all civil airports in Italy. In LIRA, Jetex provides direct ground handling to any aircraft, whereas ground handling support across all of Italy’s airports is available through our nationwide network of partners.

3. FUEL

Every airport has available fuel at all times, but Avgas is not available in LIRA. In Rome, fuel carnets are accepted by certain providers. Jetex fuel releases are accepted and cash payment can be made but not encouraged.

Sending a request for fuel release prior to arrival is highly recommended to prevent delays on fuel delivery.

4. GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Ground transportation in Italy’s airports generally includes airport shuttles, transfers and authorized taxis. Jetex Italy can arrange luxury cars, vans, and big buses for both crew and passengers in LIRA and across the country.

5. PERMITS

Italian Charter Landing Permit Requirements

All charter (non-scheduled commercial) flights by non-EU-registered aircraft require landing permits. For any aircraft with up to 19 passenger seats, these operations are referred to as “air taxi flights,” and only annual charter permits are available. An annual charter permit covers an operator’s entire fleet, assuming all aircraft have been specified on the permit. Once approved, an Italian charter permit is valid for 12 months.

Air taxi is defined as “a flight that involves transport of passengers, with their own freight (baggage), under a single charter contract for the entire capacity of an aircraft having no more than 19 passenger seats.”

Exemptions for EU-registered aircraft

EU-registered charter aircraft with 19 passenger seats or less do not require landing permits. L’Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazione Civile (ENAC, or Italian Civil Aviation Authority) does not require any special permit or notification, but operators should submit a ground handling request and file a flight plan.

Lead Time for Processing Landing Permits

Processing an annual Italian charter landing permit takes 20 business days, provided that the operator has landed within the EU as a charter in the last two International Air Transport Association seasons (March to October and October to March). Otherwise, processing will take 45 business days.

Processing Hours

ENAC processes charter permits from Mondays through Fridays, 9:00-17:00 local time. The office is closed on weekends and holidays. Please note that after-hours permit processing is not possible under any circumstances, and after-hours contact numbers are not available.

Requirements for non-EU-registered aircraft

Operators applying for a charter permit to Italy for the first time – or those who have not operated to Italy during the past two IATA seasons – need to submit specific documents to the Italian Air Transport Development Division:

  • Air Operator Certificate complete with operational specifications.
  • Foreign Operator Questionnaire, validated by the aeronautical authorities, of the applicant is always required for air carriers performing flights with aircraft that have more than 19 passenger seats.
  • Certificate of Registration and Airworthiness, along with a noise certificate and ACASII EGPWS equipment certification.
  • Valid liability insurance issued according to EU Regulation 785/2004 and in compliance with ENAC’s standard form insurance requirements.
  • Letter of approval from the civil authority in which the aircraft is registered, certifying that the company’s security program complies with International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 17, and it must be signed by the Transportation Security Administration inspector who supervised the issuing document.
  • Power of attorney (POA) authorizing the ground handler to obtain the permit on the operator’s behalf. This POA must be on the company’s letterhead and notarized (must include a stamp and signature).

Domestic Operations

Charter landing permits specify which Airports of Entry (AOEs) you may travel to within Italy. To travel to a domestic airport, an aircraft must first arrive or depart through an Italian AOE.

Note: For domestic travel in Italy, carrying passengers not associated with a flight’s international legs is considered cabotage. Boarding any additional passenger(s) that you did not bring into Italy is strictly not allowed.

Overflight Permits and Regulations

To secure overflight permits or to notify your intent to fly over Italian territory, communication must be made to overflights@enac.gov.it using the application form provided by ENAC and available in the section reserved to standard forms.

Carriers who need advance authorization and are applying for the first time to perform a stop for non-traffic purposes must provide the following documents:

  • Copy of AOC
  • Copy of Insurance Certificate, to be kept in force during the period covering requested operations, issued according to the attached form and pursuant to EC Regulation 785/04 on minimum insurance requirements for carriers operating within the EC territory

Carriers who do not need advance authorization and are applying for the first time to make a stop for non-traffic purposes must forward a copy of their AOC, and in case of landing, a copy of a valid insurance certificate.

For more information on Overflight Permits in Italy for non-EU carriers, please refer to this link.

6. CUSTOMS AND VISAS

Obtaining visa on arrival in any Italian entry location is not possible. Nationalities who require a visa must arrive in Italy with a valid visa. To know if you will need a visa to Italy, refer to this link.

Customs in LIRA are available at all times at the General Aviation Terminal. Customs in other Italian airports are mostly available 24/7; however, in case of special hours, Jetex Italy can arrange Customs to be present at the arrival and/or departure times of our clients.

7. HOTEL

As one of Europe’s premier tourist destinations, Italy offers an extensive variety of luxury hotels and accommodations. Jetex can make any arrangement for your hotel of preference anywhere in Italy.

8. SECURITY

Italy is a politically stable country. Public transportation is always patrolled by law forces. Aside from petty crimes like pickpockets in the big cities, Italy is a safe country. In case of emergencies, visitors can dial 112, free of charge and available 24/7.

Operating to Italy?

For smooth and simplified operations to Italy, get in touch with Jetex Italy at fbo-cia@jetex.com or +39 06 8760 8223.