Italian airports fly high again in 2025: exceed 229 million passengers

There was a time, not too long ago, when talking about air traffic in Italy meant telling of empty airports, silent terminals and suspended routes. Today that time is definitely behind us.

According to data just published by ENAC, during 2025 at Italian airports transited over 229 million passengers, with a growth of +5% compared with the previous year. A number that clearly photographs a reality now evident to anyone who frequents Italian airports: civil aviation is back in the spotlight.

Tourism, business travel, international connections-everything started up again, and did so in numbers not seen in a long time.

Fiumicino remains the heart of the system

In this great movement of people, there is one port of call that continues to take the lion's share. Rome Fiumicino Is once again confirmed as Italy's top airport, with nearly 51 million passengers and a share worth more than one-fifth of all national traffic.

A true hub role, increasingly central to connections between Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, and now firmly positioned among the continent's major airports.

More and more Italy to foreign countries

Perhaps the most striking fact is another: Italy is increasingly flying out of the country's borders.

International traffic continues to grow strongly and now accounts for more than two-thirds of total passengers. Europe remains the top catchment area, with Spain leading the way and a route that confirms itself as the queen of Italian skies: Rome-Madrid.

A connection that, year after year, tells better than any statistics how intense the axis between Italy and the Iberian Peninsula has become.

Low cost absolute protagonists

Walking through any Italian airport today, it is easy to realize this: the low-cost world has become the backbone of passenger traffic.

By 2025, nearly two out of three travelers flew with a low-cost airline. A dominance that translates into millions of passengers and an increasingly widespread presence throughout the country.

Alongside them endure the traditional carriers, which continue to play a key role on long-haul routes and major hubs.

"Minor" airports also grow

Among the most interesting surprises of the year is the good performance of several regional airports such as Reggio Calabria, Rimini, Pescara and Trieste.

Encouraging signs for an airport network that no longer lives only around major hubs, but is also beginning to value more peripheral connections, which are often crucial for tourism and internal mobility.

Freight also returns to travel

Not only passengers. Cargo traffic also grew in 2025, with over 1.2 million tons handled.

In this area, he continues to shine Milan Malpensa, which is confirmed as Italy's major cargo hub, especially on international routes. An increasingly strategic role in a world where logistics and air transport have become key elements of the global economy.

An industry looking to the future again

The ENAC president's words tell a good story of the climate in the industry today: confidence, recovery, prospects.

After difficult years, Italian civil aviation has returned to growth, investment, and planning. And above all to Filling airports with travelers again.