Rome has two major airports, Leonardo da Vinci - still frequently known by its old name, Fiumicino - for scheduled flights and Ciampino which handles mainly charter flights and business aviation.
At Leonardo da Vinci the airport operator, Aeroporti di Roma, is spending large amounts of money in expanding and upgrading terminal facilities to meet the needs of growing traffic numbers and shaking off the airport's rather modest reputation.
There are now three terminals one of which, Terminal C, is linked to a satellite. The handsome new Terminal A is for domestic flights and replaces spartan facilities. Terminal B, a light and airy place, has a dual role handlng international and a number of domestic services. Terminal C looks after major international flights and is connected to Satellite C, a mini-terminal in its own right with a full range of shopping, catering and other services.
International passengers will find the satellite a big improvement on the old days when the only way to reach the aircraft steps on many flights meant a bus ride across the apron and the prospect of getting wet on rainy days. Despite all the money spent on the satellite, however, the risk has not entirely been removed. Three of the 14 gates are still the prelude to a bus journey to a parked aircraft. How did that happen?
The satellite is connected to Terminal C by the "Skybridge" automated rail shuttle, the first of its kind in Italy, and there are plans to extend the service to the rest of the airport. That will be welcome news for those who have tramped the endless walkways - the moving walkways are only a partial help - which link the terminals.
New shopping and catering areas have been introduced in Terminal B as the plans to sharpen up the image and quality of Rome's major airport gathers pace.
