Definition
Palermo Airport, officially known as Falcone–Borsellino Airport (Italian: Aeroporto Falcone e Borsellino), is the primary international airport serving the city of Palermo and the surrounding region of Sicily, Italy.
Overview
The airport is situated in the municipality of Punta Raisi, approximately 35 km (22 mi) west of Palermo’s city centre. It operates as a public civilian airport under the management of Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) and handles both scheduled commercial passenger flights and cargo operations. In 2023, the airport reported handling roughly 7 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in southern Italy. Major airlines operating at Palermo Airport include Alitalia, Ryanair, EasyJet, and Lufthansa, connecting the region to European destinations and, to a lesser extent, to North Africa and the Middle East.
Etymology/Origin
The airport’s formal name honors two prominent Italian magistrates who were assassinated by the Mafia: Judge Giovanni Falcone (1939–1992) and Judge Paolo Borsellino (1940–1992). The dedication reflects Sicily’s historical struggle against organized crime and was officially adopted in 1999, five years after the judges’ deaths.
Characteristics
- Identifiers: IATA code PMO; ICAO code LICJ.
- Facilities: The airport comprises a single passenger terminal divided into two wings (domestic and international), equipped with check‑in counters, security screening areas, retail and food outlets, and customs facilities. A dedicated cargo terminal handles freight traffic.
- Runway: One asphalt runway (06/24) measuring 3,084 m (10,118 ft) in length, suitable for narrow‑body and some wide‑body aircraft.
- Navigation Aids: The airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category II, VOR/DME, and RNAV capabilities, supporting operations under various weather conditions.
- Ground Access: Palermo Airport is connected to the city by a dedicated express bus service (Aerobus) and a regional railway line (Ferrovia di Palermo–Punta Raisi), providing regular passenger service to Palermo Centrale and other nearby towns. Parking facilities and car‑rental services are also available on‑site.
- Historical Development: The first airfield on the site was constructed during World II as a military base. Civilian operations began in the 1950s, and the airport underwent major expansion in the 1970s and 1990s, including the construction of the current terminal building.
Related Topics
- List of airports in Italy
- Transport in Sicily
- Falcone–Borsellino (the magistrates)
- Italian aviation regulations
- Regional tourism in Palermo and western Sicily