From Rome Fiumicino to half the world, here are all the news of the summer season from Italy's main airport
Every day 34 flights from Rome to North America, Fiumicino third hub in Europe for number of connections to the Big Apple with 11 daily frequencies.
FCO
The upcoming summer season outlines a very positive overall scenario for the Roman market with the activation of over 35 new air connections including more than 10 to new destinations previously never served with direct flights even in the pre-Covid 2019 period, and a schedule gradually approaching pre-pandemic levels with more than 100 airlines serving over 200 destinations to more than 70 countries thus connecting all continents to the Capital.
In this article:
Route to North America
Looking overseas, the real star of the coming Summer for Rome's airports will be the North American market with a schedule that, in the peak months, will come to count 34 departures per day including as many as 11 to New York alone.
A record supply thanks to new routes to be launched by ITA Airways and developments by U.S. carriers that, at the aggregate level, will come to offer a number of routes in Growth of 50% compared with pre-pandemic.
In this context, Leonardo da Vinci will position itself as Europe's third largest hub after London and Paris in terms of the number of flights to the Big Apple and among the airports with the highest growth on flights to North America, including Canada. Highlights include new connections to San Francisco, a new destination to be launched over the summer by ITA Airways and United Airlines as well as flights to Mexico City thanks to Aeromexico's Roman airport debut.
Many, too, increased offerings on destinations historically linked to the Capital: led by New York, which, among others, will also see the entry of Norse Atlantic Airways. Which new player with a daily flight. ITA Airways will introduce A new direct flight to Washington starting in June, while increased frequencies by Air Canada and Air Transat will make up to 3 daily flights available to Toronto and Montreal. WestJet will also invest in Roman connectivity by increasing the availability of flights to Calgary, the only direct connection from Italy to Western Canada launched last year, offering up to 5 weekly frequencies.
Flying around the world from Fiumicino
Connectivity is also expected to grow in South America with the gradual increase of Aerolineas Argentinas, which will come to connect Leonardo da Vinci with 5 weekly flights for Buenos Aires.
Another major performer in the upcoming Summer will be the Asian market. In addition to the destinations available to Tokyo and Delhi, thanks to the increase in ITA Airways' flights already started in late 2022, we will see the recovery of Greater China airlines, with the resumption of flights to Beijing and Shanghai, and the concomitant increase in supply to the already served cities of Chengdu as well, Hangzhou and Chongqing. Fiumicino will see about 3 flights a day to the People's Republic of China to which will be added the restoration of the direct connection to Taipei operated 3 times a week. Rome will also be connected up to 2 times a day to Seoul thanks to developments by Korean Air and Asiana and 5 times a week to Singapore on board Singapore Airlines which, will reach the maximum recorded supply on that route.
Also with reference to long-haul, it is worth noting the increased offer of Qatar Airways, which, rising to 18 weekly frequencies, will offer up to 3 daily flights on some days of the week, as well as that of Gulf Air, which started in June 2022, continues to invest in Rome, including a third weekly frequency to Manama in Bahrain.
Mid-range destinations
Completing the 2023 development picture is the short-medium haul, with interesting new international destinations that will enrich the city's offer directly connected to Rome: among them Baku, Faro, Gdansk, Funchal, Memmingen, Castellon and Bastia thanks to the development of companies such as Volotea, Vueling, Air Corsica, Wizz Air and Ryanair. The latter two, in particular, will increase the already significant offer introduced during 2022, coming to base 11 and 9 aircraft at Fiumicino, respectively.
Lots of news, then, in a scenario that is expected to grow overall compared to last year's summer, as also confirmed by the airlines' sales systems. Within this framework, ADR is ready to ensure the high quality standards of welcoming passengers and airlines that have characterized the path of Rome's airports in recent years, as also demonstrated by the numerous awards received including the 5 Skytrax Stars obtained by the Leonardo da Vinci, which has thus joined a select group of global hubs of the highest excellence of which only 12 airports in the world are members.
ADR Speaks
"Traffic trends over the current year release a very positive outlook, albeit with risk factors related to the current economic and geopolitical environment 2023 - stated Marco Troncone Chief Executive Officer of Aeroporti di Roma - but conditions are in place for Fiumicino's traffic to return very close to pre-pandemic levels during the coming summer season. 2023 can truly be the year of the definitive recovery of traffic with the certainty for the two airports in the Capital to continue to play a crucial role in the development of the economic chain related to tourism and transportation. The dynamism of the American market, the gradual opening of connections to Asia and the restoration of connectivity also to strategic areas such as South America and the Middle East, confirm a trend of progressive growth that strengthens Rome's role as a strategic gateway for the country. In this framework we will continue the investment plan through our strategic directions, sustainability and innovation, with the aim of preparing for the upcoming international events that await the city of Rome and the country".
