Rome is one of the most famous cities globally and one of the busiest for business aviation. As a result, traffic is high year-round, and services are often in demand, particularly during peak periods.

The following is an overview of what you need to know to operate a business aircraft to Rome:

Airport Options

The primary business aviation airport for Rome is Ciampino (LIRA). All general aviation flights operating to Rome must use Ciampino during its 0600-2300 local operating hours. Even if some exceptions are possible, GA flights outside of Ciampino’s night closure hours or when it is at capacity can use Fiumicino (LIRF).

Because of this, Ciampino sees a much higher volume of business aviation flights than Fiumicino.

Stage 1 and 2 aircraft are prohibited at either airport, but exemptions may be possible for Stage 2 operations. Your ground handler must request this exemption from airport authorities; additional information is required. For more information, please get in touch with your ground handler or 3rd-party provider.

Ciampino (LIRA)

Ciampino is a business aviation-friendly airport located just 7.4 miles from downtown Rome. It is a 30-40-minute drive by car (drive time can be up to an hour during peak traffic times).

Ciampino is also frequently used to access nearby cities such as Naples and holiday destinations/islands (seaside areas/natural parks and other regions of high artistic and cultural heritage such as Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche) due to high traffic congestion in smaller airports during the summer season.

Curfews

Ciampino is open seven days a week from 0600-2300 local. Ciampino accepts both GA and scheduled commercial aircraft during its regular 0600-2300 local operating hours. The only exceptions for after-hours operations are state, humanitarian, emergency, and rescue flights. State flights will be serviced on the military side of the airfield.

Slots

Slots are not required for private flights but are required for all charter flights with more than 19 seats. Slot tolerance is +10min / -15 minutes. Slots are automatically approved with PPR approval and issuance of the PPR number. If the scheduled itinerary or times change, a new slot and PPR request must be submitted. If the ETA is before the approved time or if the departure time is later than the approved time, slots need to be reconfirmed.

PPR & Parking

PPR is required 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Parking is available according to PPR issued by Apron Management. Ciampino has some aircraft parking right in front of the GA terminal, and crew/passengers can simply walk to the terminal. There’s also a remote parking area that requires crew/passengers to be transported to the GA terminal.

Even if aircraft parking is an issue during the summer high season, all parking requests are usually accommodated with a quick turnaround for drop off and pick up passengers. Extended parking is rarely possible during the summer season. To avoid aircraft parking issues during high-traffic periods, PPR requests should be made a few days before the estimated arrival time (ETA). In addition, we recommend coordination in advance to avoid a delay in refueling during busy periods.

PPRs need to be formally requested by local ground handlers. Once approved, a confirmation number will be provided, which must be placed in the remarks section 18 of the flight plan. ATC may ask the crew for PPR approval number, particularly during high-traffic periods. Be advised that PPR revisions for parking extensions during high-traffic periods, when needed, can take a few hours to confirm. Suppose you need to reposition an aircraft due to a lack of parking. In that case, the ground handler will suggest the best alternative based on the needs of your operation. Some common repositioning airports to consider are Pescara (LIBP) or LIPR Rimini, LIPK Forlì, and LIPE Bologna. Still, they are subject to parking availability, so You may also consider further repositioning to Milan-Linate (LIML) or Milan-Malpensa (LIMC).

Facilities, Ground Handling & CIQ

Ciampino has a GA terminal with onsite CIQ, PRM, aircraft maintenance, and transport facilities. Be aware that customs personnel are not always at the GA terminal. Your ground handler must ensure the availability of CIQ services in advance. The CIQ process generally takes 10-20 minutes. Customs officers may ask that luggage be opened. If a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund is needed on departure from Italy, customs inspectors may be able to return funds to a credit card. However, no cash refunds are possible.

Ciampino offers a full range of ground services for smaller aircraft to wide-body equipment. Credit for all services can be established with prior arrangements. Ground handlers will be available to arrange all services that may be required, such as transportation, hotel accommodations, and in-flight catering. No delays are usually experienced at the GA terminal. It’s close to the aircraft parking area, so passengers and crew have a short distance to walk. Boarding procedures or disembarking usually take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Fuel

Regular aviation fuel uplift hours are 0600-2300 local, but after-hours advance requests are possible with an overtime charge. Fuelers generally require two hours’ notice for after-hours uplifts. In addition, there’s a flat overtime fee of about 150 Euros plus VAT charges. Therefore, you should always check with your local aviation fuel supplier to reconfirm advance notice requirements and overtime charges for after-hours uplifts.

Fiumicino (LIRF)

Fiumicino is Italy’s largest hub for commercial airline traffic and is not considered a business aviation-friendly airport. General aviation is permitted into Fiumicino only during the evening hours – between 2301 and 0600 local when LIRA is closed or in the case of a diversion.

If you land at Fiumicino during these hours, remember that you’ll need to depart/reposition before 0600 local. Some exceptions may apply, so it’s recommended that you contact your ground handler or 3rd-party provider for more information.

Fiumicino is 18 miles from downtown and approximately a one-hour drive, depending on traffic to the city center.

Fiumicino has no General Aviation Terminal, requiring passengers to clear CIQ in the main terminal with commercial passengers. Because the airport caters to commercial airlines, its handling, facilities, and equipment are not set up for a business aviation-friendly visit.

This is especially true for flights with VVIPs, which expect an experience above the typical commercial airline standard.

Curfews

Fiumicino is geared toward scheduled commercial operations. General aviation (GA) is permitted into Fiumicino only during the evening hours – between 2301 and 0600 local when LIRA is closed. If you land at Fiumicino during these hours, remember that you’ll need to depart/reposition before 0600 local. Some exceptions may apply, so it’s recommended that you contact your ground handler or 3rd-party provider for more information.

Slots

Not required.

PPR

Required only for private and commercial flights.

Parking

ADR (Aircraft Designated Remote) permission required.

Facilities, Ground Handling & CIQ

As there’s no terminal at LIRF for GA operations, passengers/crew need to go to the main airline terminal to clear CIQ. This process can take up to 30 minutes. Fiumicino is primarily used by scheduled commercial airliners and is not general aviation “friendly.” The handling provided at this airport is dedicated to commercial airliners and is not used to handling private aircraft.

Security

Security at both Rome airports is good – with 24-hour patrols, adequate fencing, surveillance cameras, and military patrols in the case of joint-use military/civilian airfields. Only certain Italian airports permit private security services airside, so it’s essential to confirm this in advance with your ground handler or 3rd-party provider.

Ground Transportation

You may consider pre-paid (car with driver) transport or public taxis from reputable companies for crew transport. UBER services are also available. If you wish to arrange secure transport, this is also available. Still, booking early is best due to high VIP demand over this period.

Catering

Caterers are available at both airports, and your ground handler can provide menus on request. Catering brought into Italy may be kept on board. However, if catering is offloaded from the aircraft, it must be disposed of.

For information on catering options, you can contact Air Culinaire Worldwide.

Hotels

Peak Season

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Summer is the traditional peak season in Italy. However, as both the capital and home to the Vatican, Rome is a special case and experiences “high season” all year.

Many travelers use Rome as a hub for other nearby cities such as Naples as well as holiday destinations such as Italy’s islands (seaside areas/natural parks and other regions of high artistic and cultural heritage such as Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche) due to high traffic congestion in smaller airports during the summer season. Rome also sees an influx of traffic around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Conclusion

Universal Aviation Italy has a station in Rome and is available to support your next mission.