Florence Peretola Airport Departures (FLR)

Florence Airport’s two main terminal buildings are served by numerous airline companies, which offer international and domestic flights. The airport is commonly referred to as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, after a local Italian who was a well know merchant and cartographer, or Peretola Airport, due to its location in Peretola. In Italian, it may also be referred to as Aeroporto Firenze. The airport is situated only 4 km from the city center of Florence, and serves as a major gateway to this popular region of Italy.

The airport has an Arrivals terminal and a Departures terminal, and both have received extensive upgrades over the recent years to accommodate the ever increasing traffic figures. Currently, the airport handles over one and a half million passengers per year, but is equipped to handle two million passengers per year, with 23 Check-in desks and ten gates. The Arrivals terminal caters for approximately 1,400 passengers, while the Departures terminal handles around 900 passengers. Both terminals are served by international and domestic flights.

Airline companies which operate to and from Florence include Meridiana Fly, with flights to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Cagliari, Catania, Helsinki, London-Gatwick and Madrid, Elbafly offering flights to Elba, Brussels Airlines flying to Brussels, Air France (operated by CityJet) flying to Paris Charles de Gaulle, and Alitalia with flights to Rome-Fiumicino. Baboo Airlines offer flights to Geneva, and Carpatair flies to Timisoara. Other popular airline companies include Cimber Sterling, Finnair, British Airways, Air Berlin, KLM and Lufthansa. Passengers will find that they are able to reach any destination in the world.

Florence Airport is well equipped to welcome disabled passengers, passengers with reduced mobility, or senior passengers who may require extra assistance. The terminals themselves are well built, with no structural barriers, and have elevators to provide easy access between the airport levels. There are disabled toilet facilities, and pavement ramps to facilitate entry and exit to the terminal buildings. Parking facilities are nearby the terminals, and there are dedicated disabled parking spaces that may be used free of charge by passengers with a disabled parking sticker. Boarding the aircraft is made as comfortable as possible for passengers in wheelchairs by the use of special lifting equipment, called an ambulift. Free medical attention is also available to these passengers if it is required. Further assistance can be pre-arranged. Passengers must simply request this service when booking their flight, or at least 48 hours before their departure time, from their airline company. Staff at the airport will then be ready to assist you on your arrival, and will help you through the processes of Check-in and security control, and up until the time you are safely onboard the aircraft.

Business passengers departing from Florence will find the Masaccio VIP Lounge to offer a great environment for relaxing, or getting some work done while waiting for their flight. The lounge has a TV which is connected to the satellite networks, a self-service bar area, and various newspapers and magazines in Italian and foreign languages. There is also an office area available, with a computer, printer, internet connection and multifunctional telephone. Welcome services can be arranged as well. Promo points can be set up in the departure building before or after security checks, or even outside the terminal building in the short-term parking area.

The ticket office at Florence Airport can be found in front of the check-in desks, and it is open from 05:10 to 19:00. The offices of Lufthansa are open from 05:30 to 19:00, and the offices of Swiss are open between 05:30 and 19:00. It is recommended that all passengers arrive early, leaving plenty of time to find an adequate parking space, check in hold baggage and pass through the security control measures, which could take some time if the airport is busy. There are also certain new regulations which apply to liquids on board the airplanes. Passengers may only carry a total quantity of one liter in their hand baggage, and each different liquid item should be placed in separate containers of no more than 100 ml each. All the liquids should then be handed to the security personnel for inspection in a clear, transparent and re-sealable plastic bag. There are no restrictions however for liquids in hold baggage, and they also do not apply to dietary or medicinal items which will be required during the flight period. Baby foods are an example of one of these dietary items. It is always wise to bring along your prescription for the medicine in order to prove that it will be required during the flight. Passengers are requested to remain patient during the security procedures, and offer their full cooperation. It is these security measures that will ensure that you experience a safe and pleasant departure flight from Florence.

Various passenger facilities are located within the terminal buildings, including the full-service bank of Banca Toscana for all your banking requirements. They are open from 08:20 to 13:30, and again from 14:25 to 15:45, Monday to Friday. ATMs are available for more general banking transactions, and currency exchange services are offered by Best and Fast Change, open from 05:00 to 22:00. Other facilities include a first aid station, a lost property desk and a manned parking pay station. Passengers will stay entertained at the airport by the variety of shopping opportunities located before and after the security check points, selling everything from souvenirs to clothing. You will not go hungry either, as there are many refreshment outlets throughout the terminal buildings, from light snacks and ice-cream to full meals at the restaurants.

Further information is available for departing passengers from Amerigo Vespucci Airport’s official website, or from the Information desks within the terminal buildings. Wherever your destination, you are assured to enjoy your flight from Florence.