Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport () is an international airport serving the city of Bologna in Italy. It is approximately northwest of the city centre in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The airport is named after Bologna native Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937), an Italian electrical engineer and Nobel laureate.
History The original Bologna airport was opened in 1933 some 500 metres to the west of the present building.^ Aeroporto di Bologna, sez. cenni storici, su italiarimborso.it. URL accessed 14 June 2022. This airport was used until the 1970s, by which time it had become impractically small for passenger numbers and was replaced by the present airport.La storia dell'aeroporto, su volabologna.it. URL accessed 14 June 2022.
In June 2005, Eurofly began a nonstop flight from Bologna to New York City. It operated the route on a seasonal basis with Airbus A330s. The link lasted until 2008. In June 2019, American Airlines introduced seasonal service to Philadelphia on a Boeing 767. Given Bologna's proximity to Tuscany, the company anticipated that tourists bound for the region would take the flight. However, it had difficulty attracting them and discontinued the route in September 2019.
Facilities
Terminal There is one terminal, which underwent an expansion during 2011–2013. It now has a total area of , of which is shopping areas. A new baggage handling system was installed and there are now 24 departure gates, all are bus gates since there are not yet any jetways at the airport.
Runway Bologna airport has one runway, 12/30, made of asphalt; its dimensions are .
Airlines and destinations The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Bologna Airport:
Statistics
+ Passenger numbers at Bologna-Borgo PanigaleYearPassengers HandledChange %Aircraft MovementsChange %Cargo (tonnes)Change %2000 % % %2001 % % %2002 % % %2003 % % %2004 % % %2005 % % %2006 % % %2007 % % %2008 % % %2009 % % %2010 % % %2011 % % %2012 % % %2013 % % %2014 % % %2015 % % %2016 % % %2017 % % %2018 % % %
+ Domestic destinations by passenger traffic (2018) PositionCityPassengers 1 Catania 395,367 2 Rome 295,627 3 Palermo 285,648 4 Brindisi 177,379 5 Bari 167,098 6 Lamezia Terme 165,553 7 Cagliari 126,093 8 Napoli 105,199 9 Alghero 104,677
+ International destinations by passenger traffic (2018) PositionCityPassengers 1 Barcelona, Spain 340,319 2 Frankfurt, Germany 302,331 3 Paris, France 298,522 4 London, United Kingdom (Heathrow) 293,385 5 Madrid, Spain 285,343 6 Amsterdam, Netherlands 226,935 7 London, United Kingdom (Stansted) 221,658 8 Munich, Germany 203,185 9 Bucharest, Romania 188,553 10 Istanbul, Turkey 183,785
Ground transportation By monorail
The airport is about from Bologna Centrale railway station. Opened in 2020, the Marconi Express monorail connects the airport to Bologna Centrale railway station with a travel time of approximately 7.5 minutes.
By car Motorways: A1 from Milan A13 from Padova A14 from Ancona
By bus A shuttle bus service, route Aerobus (BLQ), used to run between the station and the airport before the advent of Marconi Express. In case of events at the Bologna Fiere trade fair venue, BLQ operated a direct connection between the Airport and the bus terminus Fiera Viale Aldo Moro. Route BLQ has been withdrawn as of 18 November 2020, with the introduction of the Marconi Express.
The only TPER bus connections available to and from the airport are routes 54, between the Airport and Borgo Panigale; and 944, between the Airport and the Maggiore Hospital, calling at Via della Birra, Via del Triumvirato, Pontelungo, and Santa Viola. Route 944 is extended to Bologna Centrale railway station in its last two departures at 00.15 and 00.45, while its first two departures from the railway station are at 5.20 and 5.30; due to the people mover being yet to begin service.
From the nearby Via della Birra and Via del Triumvirato, it is possible to board suburban routes (also operated by TPER), 81, 81A, 91 and 91A to Longara, Padulle, Bagno di Piano and Calderara di Reno.
The airport has daily direct bus connections with Ferrara, Florence, Modena, Cervia, Ravenna, and Rimini, and three times a week with Ascoli Piceno.
By train The nearest railway station is Calderara-Bargellino railway station, about from the airport. However, there is no public transport connection between the two. Passengers coming by rail are expected to change for the Monorail at Bologna Central Station.
See also List of the busiest airports in Italy List of airports in Italy
References
External links
Official website Accident history for BLQ at Aviation Safety Network