Marche Airport

Marche Airport (Italian: Aeroporto delle Marche) (IATA: AOI, ICAO: LIPY),^[4] formerly Ancona Falconara Airport (Aeroporto di Ancona-Falconara), is an airport serving Ancona and the Marche region of central Italy. The airport is located approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) west of Ancona, in Falconara Marittima. It was also known as Raffaello Sanzio Airport, named after Raffaello Sanzio (1483–1520), the Italian painter and architect.^[1][5]

Marche Airport Aeroporto delle Marche
IATA: AOI ICAO: LIPY
Summary
Airport type	Public
Operator	Ancona International Airport S.p.A.
Serves	Ancona, Italy
Elevation AMSL	49 ft / 15 m
Coordinates	43°36′58″N 013°21′44″E
Website	www.marcheairport.com
Map
AOI/LIPY Location of the airport in Italy Show map of Marche AOI/LIPY AOI/LIPY (Italy) Show map of Italy
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 04/22 2,962 9,718 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Passengers 467,622 Passenger change 21-22 93.8% Aircraft movements 10,791 Movements change 21-22 20.4%
Source: DAFIF[1][2] Statistics from Assaeroporti[3]

History

The first proposal to build and manage an airport in the Marche region by a local authority emerged in 1929, initiated by the Province of Ancona. It was through the Province's efforts that the history of Marche Airport began, constructed with authorisation from the Ministry of Aeronautics in the Contrada Fiumesino area of Falconara. Initially designated as a military emergency landing field for aircraft forced to make an unscheduled descent, the airfield was developed at a cost of 2,000,000 lire for the Province. In 1933, the ownership of the land was transferred to the state. Then, in 1939, Falconara received its first official recognition when it was formally registered on the national list of civil airports.^[6]

During World War II, the airport was damaged and later occupied by the Allies, who established a NATO base there in 1950. The military presence significantly delayed efforts to restore the airport. In 1960, the Province, along with other local authorities, launched a promotional initiative to enhance airport infrastructure and encourage air travel. As a result, the first regular biweekly flights to Rome, Pescara, and Milan were introduced in 1963, followed by connections to Bari and Venice in 1964.^[6]

In 1965, with an investment of 67,000,000 lire, the involved authorities constructed a new terminal building equipped with offices and essential services. On February 5, 1968, they established Aerdorica S.r.l., tasked with promoting air traffic, managing airport services, and planning the expansion of the airport to meet the growing demands of civil air transport. The company developed the airport’s master plan and acquired the land designated as the foundation for the new civil airport. Construction began in 1977, leading to the inauguration of the Raffaello Sanzio Airport near Castelferretti on July 16, 1981.^[6]

A major modernisation project was completed in June 2004 with the inauguration of the new terminal, designed by Volkwin Marg, a member of Gerkan, Marg and Partners.^[7]

Since June 2021, Ancona International Airport S.p.A. has taken over the management of the airport from Aerdorica. Alongside this transition, the airport was officially renamed Ancona International Airport – Raffaello Sanzio.^[8]

Facilities

The airport lies at an elevation of 49 feet (15 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 04/22 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,962 by 45 metres (9,718 ft × 148 ft).^[1]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines operate scheduled services:^[9]

Airlines	Destinations
Air Dolomiti	Seasonal: Munich[10]
Lufthansa	Munich[11]
Ryanair	Catania,[12] Charleroi,[13] London–Stansted[14] Seasonal: Kraków,[15] Weeze[15]
SkyAlps	Milan–Linate, Naples, Rome–Fiumicino[16]
Volotea	Catania, Palermo, Paris–Orly Seasonal: Barcelona,[17] Olbia
Wizz Air	Tirana

Cargo

The following cargo services are operated at the airport:^{[18][needs update]}

Airlines	Destinations
DHL Aviation	Milan–Malpensa, Sarajevo
FedEx Express	Rome-Fiumicino
UPS Airlines	Bergamo, Cologne/Bonn

Statistics

Annual passenger traffic at AOI airport. See Wikidata query.

Ground transportation

Aerobus

The airport is connected to Ancona and Falconara Marittima via piazza Cavour, piazza Kennedy, Ancona railway station, Ancona Torrette railway station, Falconara Marittima railway station, normally in coincidence with the operating flights.^[19]

Car

The airport is found on Strada statale 76 della Val d'Esino in directions of both Jesi and Falconara Marittima. People travelling on the Autostrada A14 need to exit at "Ancona Nord" and join Strada statale 76 della Val d'Esino.^[20]

Railway

A small railway station, Castelferretti-Falconara Aeroporto, is situated just outside the airport. Regional trains bound to Ancona, Jesi, Fabriano, Foligno, Orte and Rome departs from there.