Infrastructure Works

Rome Fiumicino ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ Airport is set to undergo a profound transformation that will reshape its role within the global air transport system over the coming years.

The airport's Sustainable Development Plan outlines a future in which growth, innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, creating an even more efficient and modern airport that respects the local area and its community: it will include a significant reduction in noise pollution affecting residential areas; returning green spaces to the local community; and the construction of a new, modern terminal and a new runway. This will make the travel experience even more comfortable, improve the operational efficiency of the entire airport and bring numerous benefits to residents and the airport community’s employees.

The new runway 

Located parallel to and east of Runway 3, a new 3,400-metre runway will accommodate the operations currently carried out on Runway 1, enabling a different configuration of flight infrastructure.

In addition to ensuring adequate capacity expansion, consistent with the strategic role of Rome Fiumicino Airport, the runway will reduce by up to 80% the noise impact on residential areas adjacent to the airport. This configuration will also allow Runway 1 to be used only for a limited number of landings and no longer (as is currently the case) for take-offs.

Shifting core operations eastwards and dedicating Runway 1 exclusively to landing operations will allow the northern landing threshold of Runway 1 to be moved back northwards by approximately 900 metres: this will increase the altitude at which aircraft fly over the residential areas of Isola Sacra and Cancelli Rossi, thereby reducing noise impact on these areas.

The 900 metres of runway taken from Runway 1 will be returned to the local community through the creation of a park of archaeological interest – the maintenance of which will be handled by Aeroporti di Roma – open to the public.

The construction of the new flight infrastructure will be accompanied by the upgrading of taxiways, aprons and connecting roads to support the capacity of the runways and, more generally, of the entire airport system.

The new East Terminal will be built to the east of the current terminals: a building with an iconic design, featuring undulating roofing, large glass surfaces and an architecture that combines visual lightness with functionality. It will not merely be a terminal: it will be a space that showcases the local area and guides passengers on a journey through art, history and cultural identity.

The terminal will be designed with the aim of achieving LEED Platinum certification—the highest international recognition for building sustainability—thanks to innovative technologies for energy, water and environmental comfort.

The new Terminal will cover a total gross floor area of approximately 350,000 square metres, spread over several levels, complete with two new boarding areas with over 70 gates, thereby ensuring a total capacity of over 35 million passengers per year.

The future layout of the flight infrastructure, as defined in the Sustainable Development Plan, also foresees the construction of a new runway parallel to Runway 3, with a length of 3,400 metres. As well as ensuring adequate capacity expansion consistent with Fiumicino Airport’s strategic role, this will reduce noise impact on residential areas near the airport by up to 80%, with Runway 1 being used solely for landings and no longer—as is currently the case—for take-offs as well. 

Shifting core operations eastwards and dedicating Runway 1 exclusively to landing operations will allow the northern landing threshold of Runway 1 to be moved back by approximately 900 m, thereby increasing the altitude at which aircraft fly over the residential areas of Isola Sacra and Cancelli Rossi, which will reduce noise impact on these areas.

In parallel with the construction of the new flight infrastructure, taxiways, aprons and connecting roads will be upgraded in line with the capacity of the runways and, more generally, of the entire airport system.

The new East Terminal

At the heart of Rome Fiumicino Airport Development Plan, this new terminal will feature iconic architecture, the highest standards of sustainability and an exhibition space dedicated to local culture. The new boarding areas K and L, directly connected to the other terminals, will increase the airport’s capacity and the quality of its services to accommodate up to 100 million passengers per year by 2046.

Designed with the aim of achieving LEED Platinum certification (the highest international recognition for building sustainability, obtained through innovative technologies for energy, water and environmental comfort), the building will feature undulating roofs, large glass surfaces and an architectural style that combines visual lightness with functionality. It will not be merely a terminal, but a space that reflects the local area and guides travellers through art, history and cultural identity, with a total gross floor area of approximately 350,000 sqm  spread across multiple levels, featuring two new boarding areas with 76 gates, serving more than 35 million passengers per year.

Access to the airport

The increase in passengers and operations will require improved access to the airport: a new system of access roads on the eastern side will link up with the existing internal road network, the motorway network and a new internal rail link that will connect the current terminals, the airport railway station and the technical area – providing passengers and operators with alternative transport options.

The airport’s accessibility system will also be integrated with local infrastructure, in the context of the growth of the so-called ‘wider area’.

Parking

The parking system will be reorganised to serve the new terminal, benefitting passengers and airport staff. It will offer over 5,000 parking spaces, including spaces for electric vehicles equipped with charging points, car sharing and new forms of sustainable transport, partly thanks to the creation of cycle and pedestrian paths that will complete the internal network, linking up with the existing ‘Pedalaria’ cycle path.

Complementary services

The new Terminal will feature a system of hospitality and administrative services, including offices, retail spaces, green areas and public spaces, designed to be enjoyed and not merely passed through. 

The airport embraces a new concept of centrality, where travel is integrated with the quality of urban spaces and the needs of those who work or live nearby.