Bologna Airport Departures (BLQ)

Bologna Airport is conveniently situated only 6 km from the city centre of Bologna, and is the perfect departure point for thousands of people who reside in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The official code for the airport is BLQ. Bologna is one of Italy’s most significant airports, and is an international establishment handling millions of passengers per year. The terminal is also well equipped for departing and arriving passengers.

2010 was a particularly good year in terms of passenger traffic. By November it had reached the significant number of five million passengers, and by the close of the year Bologna had recorded over five and a half million passengers. This was the highest number achieved yet in the history of the airport. Over 400,000 passengers used the airport in December alone, and thousands of flight movements were made. The major increase in passenger numbers was mainly due to the low-cost airline of Ryanair, who introduced their third aircraft and a dozen new routes from the airport. Existing flights to Eastern Europe and North Africa also strengthened. The airport is looking forward to continued positive growth in 2011 and the coming years.

Ryanair is a popular choice of Airline Company by many passengers, and handles the greatest number of destinations from Bologna. Some of Ryanair’s more local flights include the destinations of Palermo, Valencia, Trapani, Lamezia Terme, Bari and Brindisi, while further afield destinations include London-Stansted, Edinburgh, Dublin, London-Gatwick, Alicante and Madrid. Alitalia serves a couple of destinations from Bologna, such as Catania, Naples and Rome-Fiumicino, as well as Meridiana Fly, with flights to destinations such as Cagliari, Mombasa, Olbia, Tenerife-Sough and Zanzibar. Other airline companies at Bologna Airport include Air Italy, Blue Panorama Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.

Passengers departing from Bologna can reach the terminal via a number of transportation options. Motorists with their own vehicle will find plenty of parking options at the airport, while many people prefer to use the bus or taxi services. The Aerobus connects the airport to the Bologna Central Train Station, as there is no actual train station on the airport site. The ATCM buses travel from Modena, and the Sena Autolinee buses provide transport from Sienna. Trains arrive at Bologna station from all major destinations in Italy and Europe. Taxis, although more expensive, are also often used for transport to the airport. Passengers should arrive in good time for their departure flight, with at least an hour to spare for domestic flights, and up to two or three hours for long-haul flights. Your airline company can give you more specific check-in details.

The airport consists of a three-level air terminal building, which handles all domestic and international departures. The secure boarding area and security control areas are located on the first floor of the terminal, while arrivals and two check-in areas are found on the ground floor. Restaurants and other catering services are in the top-floor area of the building. There are 19 gates at Bologna Airport, two check-in areas, 57 check-in counters and one boarding area.

Passengers with hold baggage should ensure that each item is clearly and correctly labelled, with their name, address and telephone number. Hand baggage should also be labelled. Each airline company has different free baggage allowances depending on in which class you will be travelling. Ensure that you do not exceed this amount, as you will then need to pay an excess baggage charge at the ticket office. Usually, one item of hand baggage is permitted per person, and items such as a laptop computer, camera, video camera, umbrella, reading material and coat may also be carried. A baby carrier and baby food are allowed as well. Hand luggage and passengers will be x-rayed at the security checkpoint, and all items carried by the passenger, such as mobile phones, watches, belts, coats, rings, credit cards, calculators etc. To facilitate the security process, passengers can keep the number of metallic objects they carry and wear to a minimum.

The new regulations surrounding the amount of liquids carried on board an aircraft affect passengers. However, the new laws are only for hand luggage, and any quantity of liquids may be carried in hold luggage. Liquid regulations also do not affect special dietary requirements and baby food or milk that is needed during the flight. The re-sealable plastic bags in which hand luggage liquids should be placed are available from dispensing machines at the airport.

Bologna’s air terminal has many useful facilities for departing passengers, including a full service bank, cash machines, currency exchange facilities, a first aid office, lost and found offices and the MBL VIP Lounge. There are also meeting and conferencing facilities offered at the Marconi Business Lounge. Baby changing rooms and a children’s play area is available, as well as many enticing retail outlets and restaurants.

The airport maintains a high level of quality to ensure all passengers enjoy a smooth departure flight from the airport.