Today , FLR — which features a single terminal with 10 gates , 40 check-in desks and no jet bridges — is well connected to the city center .
AIRPORT REVIEW
Pisa airport ( PSA ). The two airports are linked by some of Italy ’ s most efficient public transport , which enables 90-minute transfers via tram , train , and people mover . However , travelers are highly unlikely to be in a hurry to transfer between the two airports , because their respective clienteles could not be more different . FLR has always focused on legacy and business travel , while PSA is one of Italy ’ s many low-cost hubs .
Today , FLR — which features a single terminal with 10 gates , 40 check-in desks and no jet bridges — is well connected to the city center .
Today , FLR — which features a single terminal with 10 gates , 40 check-in desks and no jet bridges — is well connected to the city center . In 2019 , after seven years of construction , a new tram service finally became operational , connecting the center to the airport in just 30 minutes . The service runs every few minutes , and with its small price of
€ 1.70 ( US $ 1.80 ), it is a strong competitor to taxis and rentals . The tram service connects FLR to Florence ’ s main train station , Santa Maria Novella , enabling tourists to reach most of Italy ’ s cities and towns within a matter of a few hours .
The airport ’ s proposed terminal features a vineyard on its roof , an enlarged facility to accommodate more passengers , and jet bridges , which are much needed in the hot Florence summers . This project is closely linked to the more ambitious and problematic one pertaining to the modernization of the airport ’ s short runway .
TRAIN VS . PLANE
While most routes operating out of FLR involve flying times of at least one hour , Italian flag carrier ITA Airways still operates multiple daily connections to its FCO hub . The airline ’ s A319s fly the 239km ( 149 miles ) that separate Rome from Florence up to four times a day . Driving from Florence to Rome takes around three hours — the same time it takes to arrive at FLR , clear security , board the aircraft , and reach Rome .
Besides driving , it ’ s just as efficient to take the train to Rome . A train ride from FCO to any main Roman station is just shy of an hour . If you then add the time it takes for the high-speed journey
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38 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2024 www . airwaysmag . com