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    Brindisi Airport

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    Brindisi Airport (BDS/LIBR): Your Premier Gateway to Puglia and Salento’s Baroque Beauty

    Brindisi Airport, officially named Salento Airport (Aeroporto del Salento), stands as a critical transportation hub for visitors exploring the stunning southern Italian region of Puglia. As the region’s second-largest airport, it provides direct, effortless access to the sun-drenched beaches, historic Baroque cities like Lecce, and picturesque white towns such as Ostuni and Cisternino. Strategically positioned, BDS is not just an airport; it’s the welcoming front door to Italy’s “heel,” serving millions of passengers annually who seek to discover the culinary and cultural treasures of Salento.

    General Information & Overview: The Heart of Southern Puglia

    Situated just a short distance from the historic city of Brindisi, Salento Airport offers a blend of accessibility and modern operational efficiency. The airport’s continuous investment—including the significant $500 million committed by major airlines like Ryanair for regional operations—underscores its growing importance in the European air travel network.

    • Official Name: Aeroporto del Salento
    • IATA/ICAO Codes: BDS / LIBR
    • Location: Approximately 6 km (3.7 miles) north-east of the Brindisi city center.
    • Coordinates: 40° 39′ 29” N, 17° 56′ 48” E.
    • Passenger Traffic (2024 Estimate): Handled over 3.2 million passengers, reflecting its surging popularity as a destination airport.
    • Operator: Aeroporti di Puglia S.p.A.

    Terminal and World-Class Passenger Services

    Brindisi Airport operates a single, well-organized, and user-friendly terminal designed to maximize passenger flow and comfort. The terminal provides a full range of amenities for both international and domestic travelers.

    • Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the terminal, ensuring travelers stay connected.
    • Retail & Dining: A selection of cafes, bars, and a dedicated Duty-Free shopping area offer local specialties and international goods.
    • Accessibility (PRM): The airport is fully compliant with EU regulations, offering complete access and dedicated support services for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM). Note for 2025: Travelers should be aware of a new PRM fee (approx. €0.60 per departing passenger) introduced for service maintenance.
    • Business Services: While a dedicated executive lounge is not a core feature, comfortable seating and business work zones are available near the gates.
    • Nearby Accommodation: For early morning flights or late arrivals, convenient lodging options include the Hotel Minerva and the charming farmhouse stay, Masseria Salamina, both a short drive from the terminal.

    Airlines and Destinations: Discovering Your Route to Italy (2025/2026 Flight Updates)

    Brindisi Airport serves as a key base for major low-cost carriers while maintaining connections with full-service flag airlines, linking Puglia with major hubs across Italy and Europe.

    • Major Carriers Operating: Ryanair (the largest operator), ITA Airways, SWISS, easyJet, and Wizz Air.
    • Core Domestic Routes: Essential connections include high-frequency services to Rome (Fiumicino), Milan (Linate and Malpensa), Bergamo, Genoa, Palermo, and Venice.
    • Key International Hubs: Direct flights connect Salento to major European capitals like London (Stansted/Gatwick), Zurich, Paris, and Brussels.
    • 2025/2026 Network Expansion Highlights:
      • Ryanair: Maintains an expanded presence with 23 routes from BDS, emphasizing increased frequency on high-demand routes like Paris and Milan.
      • Wizz Air: Continues its Eastern European focus with new or increased service to destinations like Bucharest–Otopeni and Warsaw–Modlin, with seasonal routes to Katowice.
      • Discover Airlines: The highly anticipated seasonal summer route from Frankfurt, starting in September 2025, significantly boosts German connection options.

    Ground Transportation: Seamless Travel from BDS to Salento

    Traveling from Brindisi Airport to your final destination in Puglia is made easy by a reliable network of public and private transport options available directly outside the terminal.

    • Local Bus Service (STP Brindisi):
      • Route: Connects the airport directly to the Brindisi city center and Brindisi railway station.
      • Journey Time: Approximately 15 minutes.
      • Cost: Highly economical, typically around 1 EUR per ticket.
    • Taxi Services:
      • Availability: Taxis are readily available at the designated rank outside the arrivals hall.
      • City Center Fare: A ride to Brindisi’s center usually takes less than 10 minutes and costs between 15 and 20 EUR.
    • Car Rental:
      • Providers: All major international and local car rental companies have desks located in the arrivals area, including Budget, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, and Thrifty. Renting a car is the most recommended way to explore the Salento peninsula’s hidden coves and villages.

    Parking Facilities and Car Rental

    For those driving to the airport or renting a vehicle, Brindisi Airport provides secure and ample parking solutions.

    • Parking Capacity: The airport boasts a modern car park with capacity for over 1,000 vehicles, offering both short-term (P1) and long-term (P3, P7) options.
    • Car Rental Area: Dedicated lots and easy-to-access pick-up/drop-off zones are provided for all major car rental agencies, ensuring a quick start to your road trip.

    Planning Your Trip: Essential 2025 Travel Notices

    Travelers should note the following operational and procedural updates that affect travel through Brindisi Airport starting in late 2025.

    • EU Entry-Exit System (EES) Implementation: The new electronic EES for non-EU passengers (replacing manual passport stamping) will be gradually rolled out at BDS, with operations scheduled to begin around October 20, 2025. Travelers should allow extra time for processing.
    • Infrastructure Expansion: Significant airport expansion and modernization work, which began in August 2025, may lead to minor changes in passenger flow within the terminal. Follow all temporary signage.
    • General Aviation (GA) Updates: A new Prior Permission Required (PPR) system is expected to be fully operational for General Aviation and Air Taxi flights by Summer 2025, streamlining non-commercial flight movements.

    Contact Information: Getting in Touch

    For official inquiries, flight status, and operational questions regarding Brindisi Airport, use the following contact details:

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