Pescara Airport (PSR)

Pescara Airport is the only one in Abruzzo region, and is located approximately four kilometers from the city center of Pescara. It is also commonly referred to as the Abruzzo Airport, due to its location, and has the official IATA code of PSR. Its ICAO code is listed as LIBP. It is one of Italy’s smaller airports, handling only just over 400,000 passengers per year, but is still considered to be an important gateway to the Abruzzo region, and to all the towns and cities nearby. Rome, the capital city of Italy, is found only 180 km away, while other prominent cities, such as Bologna, are also within easy driving distance.

This airport can more precisely said to be situated on the border of Pescara and San Giovanni Teatino, and the road leading to the airport is known as the ‘Strada Stratale Tiburtina’. The city of Pescara is crossed by two pan-European roads, known as the Bologna – Taranto motorway and the Torano – Pescara motorway. The airport is therefore easily accessed from many major destinations in Italy, and passengers arriving can travel to various destinations of interest, local and further afield.

Ryanair is the airline carrier which serves the majority of destinations, and is a very popular low-cost airline company. The phenomenon of low cost airlines virtually exploded passenger traffic at many Italian airports from the year 2000, especially at the smaller ones like Pescara Airport. Ryanair is often referred to as the world’s favorite airline. They began their business in January of 2000, and today operate over 1,500 flights a day to their forty-four airport bases, and over 1,200 flights per day in 27 low-fare routes. They also serve over 160 different destinations, have an aircraft fleet of 262 new Boeing 737-800, and have plans to place additional orders for a further 49 airplanes. Ryanair is a major presence at twenty-two airports in Italy, some of which include Alghero, Ancona, Bari, Cagliari, Genoa, Milan-Orio al Serio, Rome Ciampino, Trapani, Verona and Pescara.

On the 14^th of February, 2010, Ryanair celebrated the ninth anniversary of their link from here to Frankfurt, Hahn, which had so far received much popularity. Over the nine years of service approximately 800,000 passengers had traveled between these two cities. Ryanair is the airline company which is the primary cause of the increase in traffic since 2000. In this year, Pescara airport was handling only around 114,000 passengers, but by the year 2005, just over 350,000 passengers were making use of the airport. In 2006 passenger numbers saw a slight decrease, but continued to make a steady rise in the following years. Over 400,000 passengers were reached in the year 2008, and in 2010, it finished with a grand total of 461,000 passengers. Although these figures are still very small when compared some of the other major Italian airports, the gateway is still considered as very important. Passenger numbers are only expected to increase over the following years.

The airport is managed by the company of Saga, or S.A.G.A. S.p.A., which is the Abruzzo Management company, in control since 1981. A concession for the company to continue management for another forty years will be granted following the provisions of certain laws. Saga is responsible for the growth and development, in terms of passenger and cargo traffic, ensuring the economical benefit and development of the region. The airport management company should also provide adequate security measures for all aspects of operations, and maintain the highest quality standards for airlines and passengers. Saga has also been one of the first in Italy to have achieved the Quality Certification for all handling services. The main shareholders of Pescara Airport are public institutions, and they account for 85% of the total shares, while certain private investors hold the remaining 15%. The largest shareholder is the Abruzzo region, with 41.30%.

The airport of Pescara consists of one runway, which is 2,419 meters in length (7,936 feet) and is made of asphalt. This runway is not the longest that is used in Italy, but is adequate for most types of airline companies. The single air terminal is well equipped with various facilities, and is sufficient to provide quality and efficient services for arriving and departing passengers. Most people who pass through Pescara Airport arrivals have only comments of praise for the airport’s helpful staff members, and the smoothness of all operations. The ticket office provides scheduled airline tickets and low-cost airline tickets and is open most days from 07:30 to 19:00, and some days they open earlier. There is a VIP lounge in the departures area and two conference rooms fully equipped for meetings and other events. Banking and currency exchange services are also available.

Disabled persons are welcome, as it is designed with various facilities to ensure their comfort, for example, lifts for vertical movement, adapted toilets and reserved parking spaces nearby the terminal. Passengers who require additional assistance, can make the arrangements with their airline company, preferably, at least 48 hours in advance of departure. Airline companies also provide special equipment to assist with boarding the aircraft.

Pescara Airport has a call center which is open from 07:30 to 19:00 every day of the week, except Mondays, when they are open from 05:30. The call center numbers are as follows:  From a fixed phone line – 895 898 9512, and from a mobile phone – 899 130 310. There are also information desks within the terminal building, and the official website can be found at www.abruzzoairport.com.

Below is a sample of routes flight times and Airlines that fly from Pescara Airport.