Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport has opened a brand-new boarding area for its Schengen and domestic travelers. The 37,000 meters squared Boarding Area A is set to drastically expand the airport’s eastern section, providing capacity for up to six million travelers each year.

Cultural emphasis

Headed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, the event saw industry and local professionals converge to celebrate the launch. An integral part of the project was to showcase Italian culture, with the building developed by Italian architects and engineers at ADR Ingegneria.

Utilizing state-of-the-art building technologies, Boarding Area A boasts a sleek, classic design, though an emphasis on natural light will provide travelers with a natural, mountain-like feeling when passing through.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Airport CEO Marco Troncone noted,

“The infrastructure we are inaugurating today is a symbol: a testimony to the value of Italy, which does not stop despite the difficulties and starts again with courage and vision.”

That vision reflects across the new section of the airport, from its 6,000 square meter shopping mall displaying the finest food and shopping Italy has to offer to the collaboration with Ostia Antica Archeological Park to display seven works of classical Roman art. Troncone added,

“The new boarding area A is part of a broader programme that envisages investments of EUR 10 billion - 2 of which have already been spent - up to the end of the concession, to support the country’s international connectivity and to continue to feed, to an ever-increasing extent, the socio-economic sector, while anticipating the necessary ecological and digital transition together with the best Italian and international excellences.”

Continued expansion

Flights departing from the building will connect to over 100 Schengen and domestic destinations, adding 23 new gates and 13 boarding bridges to cater to 6 million passengers each year.

The expansion appears to come at the perfect time, with Troncone already throwing his support behind Lufthansa’s plans to develop a hub at the airport following a potential purchase of ITA. Speaking to Bloomberg, Troncone explained that the Lufthansa-ITA collaboration would bolster the airport’s status as a Mediterranean-based long-haul hub while boosting its domestic markets.

“We are very positive about the Lufthansa business model,” said Troncone. “The company has extensive experience in dealing with post-crisis carriers and managing multiple hubs.”

The German flag carrier has expressed interest in taking a stake in ITA, with plans to use the collaboration to expand its presence in the region. In an interview with local media, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr expressed his interest in Rome, noting its importance within the airline’s growth strategy.

“Obviously. Italy is a strong market and Rome could play a very important role within Lufthansa by integrating our system with a southern hub for the group” Spohr told Corriere Della Sera last month. “Italy is a new hub for Lufthansa. We are expanding our business in the country to strengthen our position as the leading carrier of intercontinental connections.”

The Italian government has requested binding bids for ITA by May 23, aiming for the sale to be completed by the end of June. However, Troncone has noted that regardless of the deal’s outcome, ITA will continue to work profitably alongside the airport, remaining a key partner.

Will you be visiting Rome Airport’s new Boarding Area this summer? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: Bloomberg, Corriere Della Sera