The Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport FCO/LIRF, commonly called Fiumicino Airport, is Italy's largest in terms of air traffic volume. Officially opened in January of 1961 and named for both the Renaissance engineer and artist Leonardo da Vinci and the town where it is located, the airport initially had two runways. Construction and expansion throughout the 1970s lengthened the two original runways and added a third. Four runways are currently utilized though one is primarily used as a taxiway. Following an upgrade in 2007, the airport is capable of processing 30 takeoffs/landings per hour during heavy fog, up from the previous frequency of ten.
Fiumicino means "little river". Until 1992 Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport was a part of Rome known as Municipio XIV. It is the only one of Rome's original 20 sub-municipalities to vote to become a full municipality and separate from Rome. Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Fiumicino has a large fishing center and a sea resort.
In 2000 a new domestic terminal was opened at Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport. Called Terminal A at the time, it joined Terminal AA, Terminal B and Terminal C. The Terminal C designation also encompassed the west satellite terminal. Over time, terminals B and C were joined together and a new terminal, designated Terminal 5, was opened. In 2004 a new cargo-only terminal was opened and named Cargo City. October of 2010 brought a new naming convention, aligning the passenger terminal naming with other major world hubs. Previously named A, AA, B+C+west satellite and 5, the terminals are now numbered 1, 2, 3 and 5. Boarding areas are referred to by letter.
Located 16 miles southwest of Rome, Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport is a main hub for Alitalia and serves over 35 million passengers each year. It is the sixth busiest airport in all of Europe and is ranked 26th worldwide. 50 carriers operate flights to Fiumicino from all corners of the globe. Arriving passengers can catch the Leonardo Express train directly to Termini station in central Rome twice each hour. Local trains leave every 15 minutes but make several stops along the route to the Termini station.
Housing the largest shopping mall in Europe dedicated to luxury goods, Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport passengers and visitors can select from over 100 specialty shops scattered through the terminals. Perfumes, shoes, leather goods and clothing from the most desirable designers are all available. Restaurants and fast food stands are conveniently located in each terminal, as are newsagents and other services.
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