Palermo is served by Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO), the main airport of Sicily and a major gateway to western Sicily. It offers a strong domestic network, a significant seasonal international schedule from across Europe, and important year-round connections from Italian and European hubs.
The most frequent and affordable flights to Palermo are domestic routes from mainland Italian cities. Key departure points include Rome (FCO), Milan (MXP, LIN), Bologna (BLQ), and Turin (TRN). These connections are vital for accessing Sicily from Italy's wider network. Seasonally, PMO receives numerous direct flights from European tourist markets, particularly from the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Eastern Europe.
The market for arrivals into Palermo is highly competitive. ITA Airways operates many domestic flights into PMO. Low-cost carriers have a massive presence: Ryanair has a large base, and Volotea, easyJet, and Wizz Air operate extensive seasonal and year-round networks into Palermo. European charter airlines also bring in tourists. This mix drives down fares, especially on leisure arrival routes.
To secure cheap flights to Palermo, book domestic arrivals from mainland Italy 3-6 weeks in advance. For summer European flights into PMO, book 3-6 months ahead. Always compare ITA Airways with Ryanair, Volotea, and easyJet for the best deals into Palermo. Use Palermo's status as Sicily's capital to find competitive arrival fares, but be wary of peak summer prices. Flying mid-week into PMO can offer significant savings. For exploring eastern Sicily, also check fares into Catania (CTA) and consider ground transport between cities. PMO is well-connected to Palermo city center by train and bus for arriving passengers.