Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport

Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport
Name	Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport
IATA	PEG
ICAO	LIRZ
Image-width	250
Caption	The passenger terminal at Perugia Airport
Owner	S.A. Aeroporto dell'Umbria
Operator	S.A. Aeroporto dell'Umbria
City-served	Perugia, Umbria
Location	Sant'Egidio, Perugia
Elevation-f	693
Elevation-m	211
Coordinates	43, 05, 45, N...
Website	http://www.airport.umbria.it
R1-number	11/29
R1-length-m	2,200
R1-length-f	7,218
R1-surface	Asphalt
Stat-year	2023
Stat1-header	Passengers
Stat1-data	~300,000
Stat2-header	Aircraft movements
Stat2-data	~5,000
Footnotes	Source: Italian ENAC

Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport. It is the primary international airport serving the Umbria region of Italy, centrally located near the city of Perugia. Named after the region's patron saint, Francis of Assisi, the facility is a key gateway for tourism and business travel to central Italy. The airport operates seasonal and year-round flights to major European hubs, connecting Umbria to the broader European Union and supporting the local economy.

History

The airport's origins trace to a military airfield used during World War II, later developed for civilian use. Significant expansion began in the 1980s, culminating in the inauguration of a new passenger terminal in the early 1990s to accommodate growing traffic. The airport was renamed in honor of Francis of Assisi in the late 1990s, coinciding with its designation as an international facility by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority. Key developments include infrastructure upgrades funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the establishment of Ryanair as a base operator in the 2000s, which dramatically increased passenger numbers.

Facilities

The airport features a single, modern passenger terminal with separate areas for Schengen Area and non-Schengen flights. The single asphalt runway, 11/29, is 2,200 meters long and equipped with ILS for all-weather operations. The apron can accommodate several A320-type aircraft simultaneously. Passenger amenities include car rental desks from companies like Hertz and Avis, retail outlets, and a café. Cargo operations are limited, with a small dedicated facility primarily serving express carriers.

Airlines and destinations

The airport hosts several low-cost and regional airlines, with a strong focus on seasonal leisure routes. Ryanair maintains the largest presence, offering year-round and seasonal services to destinations like London Stansted, Brussels Charleroi, and Barcelona. Albawings connects to Tirana, while seasonal charter flights operated by carriers such as Enter Air serve holiday destinations across the Mediterranean. Scheduled routes are predominantly to other European Union countries, with traffic peaking during the summer.

Statistics

Passenger traffic has shown volatility, heavily influenced by the presence of low-cost carriers. The airport handled approximately 300,000 passengers in 2023, a figure that has gradually recovered following the downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-pandemic peaks saw numbers near 500,000. The vast majority of traffic is international, with Italy's domestic market representing a smaller share. Ryanair consistently accounts for over 70% of scheduled capacity. Cargo tonnage remains minimal, typically under 1,000 tonnes annually.

Ground transportation

The airport is located approximately 12 kilometers east of Perugia's city center. The primary road link is the SS 75 highway, providing direct access to Perugia and connections to the A1 motorway. A regular bus service operated by Busitalia connects the terminal to Perugia's main railway station and city center. Taxi services are available outside the terminal. There is no direct rail link, though a project for a people-mover connection to the Umbrian railway network has been periodically discussed by local authorities.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record with no major fatal accidents in its operational history. A notable incident occurred in 2015 when a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 experienced a runway excursion upon landing during heavy rain; there were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained minor damage. The event prompted a review of braking action procedures by the Italian National Agency for Flight Safety. Another minor incident involved a light aircraft veering off the taxiway in 2008, causing no injuries.

Category:Airports in Italy Category:Transport in Umbria Category:Buildings and structures in Perugia