- Italian airports handled over 230m passengers in 2025
- Air arrivals account for 53pc of international tourists
- Air travellers generate 71pc of international tourism spending worth €40.5bn
- Traffic could reach 304.5m passengers by 2035
- The study was conducted by PTS for Aeroporti 2030
A study titled Gli aeroporti al centro di uno sviluppo di sistema by consulting group PTS for Aeroporti 2030 highlights Italian airports as core strategic drivers for national competitiveness, economic growth and international trade. Italian airports handled over 230m passengers in 2025 a 40pc increase compared to 2016 with traffic projected to reach 304.5m annual passengers by 2035. In 2025 53pc of foreign travellers arrived in Italy by plane generating 71pc of total international tourism spending valued at €40.5bn.
Air travellers spend an average of €829 per trip compared to €374 for visitors using other modes of transport. Goods transported via air cargo reached €93.4bn in 2025 accounting for 14.8pc of Italy’s total exports up from 11.9pc in 2019. Research cited in the report estimates that a 10pc increase in direct flight connections correlates with a 0.5pc increase in GDP per capita and a 1.6pc rise in local employment.Industry leaders warn that upcoming European environmental regulations such as the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System and high costs for Sustainable Aviation Fuels could incentivise airlines to shift routes to non-EU hubs like Tirana or Belgrade. The report emphasises the need for a coordinated national strategy to integrate airports with ports, high-speed rail and regional logistics
