Airport Options – Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ)

The sole airport in Venice serving business aviation operators is Venice Marco Polo Airport (LIPZ). The airport is just a short 10-minute boat ride to the city. Venice (LIPZ), a 24-hour airport of entry (AOE).

Curfews

LIPZ is a 24-hour AOE.

Slots

No airport slots are needed for LIPZ. Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), implemented at LIPZ several years ago, helps ensure more accurate in-block times.

PPR

Prior permission required (PPR) is needed for operation to LIPZ, and it’s best to request this as soon as schedule is known. For PPR requests, provide aircraft registration, operator name, VAT number (if available) and crew/passenger details. Your PPR approval confirms parking for your stay.

Parking & Alternates

LIPZ has five parking stands available to GA, with most aircraft using stands on the commercial side of the field. Extended parking stays are usually an option here; however, during the 2022 peak season, the demand made parking extremely difficult to secure. This is likely to be the same in 2023.

Parking alternates to consider include Treviso (LIPH), Trieste (LIPQ) and Milan Linate (LIML) at drive times of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 150 minutes from Venice, respectively. All are 24-hour AOEs. LIPH and LIPQ are less busy locations than LIPZ but have full ground handling support, ground support equipment (GSE), and reasonable parking availability.

FBOs and Ground Handling

A general aviation terminal (GAT) with crew and passengers lounges is available with normal operating hours 0600-2200 local and customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) is usually cleared within this facility. GAT overtime is possible with prior request. If you arrive/depart outside GAT hours, CIQ clearance is in the main terminal, and this process does not take too much longer.

The airport has good handling options with quality service providers, equipment, and facilities.

Hotels

Although some preferred hotels on Venice island and Lido sell out, it’s sometimes possible to source good quality crew accommodations during the VIFF period. Rates for 4-star properties generally run 200 to 300 Euros/night. Water taxis are the preferred method of transport between LIPZ and Venice island and Venice to the Lido area. A water taxi terminal is located just outside the GAT at LIPZ. Note that public water taxi services can be slow and take up to one hour between LIPZ and Venice island. It’s recommended that crew to consider private water taxi options, and ground handlers can assist in coordinating these arrangements.

Ground & Water Transport

Your handler can arrange luxury boats to reach pax/crew directly by water from the GA dedicated dock at the airport. Luxury rental cars and taxis are also available.

It’s always recommended to book transportation in advance for the best options. Vehicles can be arranged to meet passengers at the dock or the landside entrance of the GA terminal.

Fuel

Fuel trucks normally arrive on time, but there may be delays during peak periods of scheduled commercial activity, which at LIPZ is normally 1100-1400 local. Note that private non-revenue operations to LIPZ may only uplift fuel within four hours of departure. Charter (non-scheduled commercial) operators have the option to fuel upon arrival, if their next flight leg is not outside the EU.

In-Flight Catering

Good in-flight catering options are available at LIPZ and advance request notification of 24-48 hours is recommended. At LIPH or LIPQ, operators may consider in-flight catering or catering from local hotels or restaurants. For more information on catering, visit Air Culinaire Worldwide.

Security

Security planeside can be arranged upon request only thru certified company, ramp of GA Terminal is monitored by security cameras and police patrol on site.

CIQ

LIPZ is not a transit airport; therefore, for Non-EU and extra-Schengen flights, pax and crew must be subjected to Police and Customs checks. General Declaration is always mandatory for international flights.

The process takes place inside GA Terminal allowing business aviation operators to avoid the commercial terminal. Pax and crew are assisted throughout the procedure. Passengers are escorted to customs/police, which is in the General Aviation Terminal (GAT). Then, depending on the origin/destination, passports are checked and/or stamped, and the whole procedure takes 5-10 minutes. After that, your ground handler will take care of the luggage and transport it outside the terminal to be loaded according to passenger and crew ground transportation arrangements.

Weather

The weather in Venice is generally mild year-round and there are no major issues when operating to the city.

Peak Season and Events

Peak season events include the Venice Architecture Exhibition, held annually in May, the Carnival of Venice (January/February), the Venice International Boat Show in spring, and the International Venice Film Festival in September. During these periods, parking and hotels may not be available so plan in advance.

Conclusion

Operating to Venice is relatively straightforward with proper pre-planning. However, extra lead time should be factored in when traveling during peak-period events.

Universal Aviation Italy has more than three decades of experience in Italy and has facilities at Marco Polo LIPZ Airport. Our team can help you plan your mission to Venice.