Turin Caselle: The Fastest-Growing Airport in Italy

Data shows a +17.3% surge in passenger traffic for the first half of 2026 — driven by new routes, elevated local food concepts, and a booming tourism ecosystem.

For years, travelers heading to Piedmont faced a familiar dilemma: take a direct flight to Milan Malpensa and endure a long shuttle transfer, or hope for a convenient connection into Turin Airport (TRN) in Caselle Torinese. Today, that narrative has officially flipped.

According to Assaeroporti data for the first half of 2026, Turin Caselle recorded 2,888,628 passengers, achieving a staggering +17.3% year-on-year growth compared to 2025. That makes Turin the fastest-growing airport among Italy's top 20 aviation hubs, outperforming major airports like Rome Fiumicino (+0.7%) and Milan Linate (+10.4%) in pure growth percentage.

Airport dining is notorious for overpriced, mass-produced sandwiches. Turin Caselle, however, has leaned heavily into Piedmont's culinary identity to transform the passenger departure lounge into an extension of the city itself.

• Eataly: Bringing its signature market-dining format into the terminal, offering authentic local pasta, artisanal cheeses, and Piedmontese wines right before security gates.
• Baladin: The iconic craft beer brand born in Piozzo (Cuneo) has established a dedicated taproom at TRN. Passengers can now enjoy fresh local craft IPAs and burgers while waiting for boarding calls.

This shift ensures that the very last taste travelers experience before leaving Turin is rooted in genuine local gastronomy rather than generic fast food.

The surge in traffic is no accident. The aggressive expansion of low-cost carriers (led by Ryanair's base operations) and reinforced flag-carrier connections have drastically expanded Caselle's network.

Key route categories driving the growth include:

• International Hub Connections: Daily flights to major European transfer hubs like London Gatwick/Stansted, Paris CDG, Frankfurt, and Munich keep Turin connected globally.
• Domestic & Mediterranean Leisure: Frequent links to Southern Italy (Catania, Palermo, Bari, Lamezia Terme) and island hotspots ensure strong leisure and business travel year-round.
• The Ski & Mountain Corridors: Winter operations remain strong, bringing thousands of UK and Northern European travelers directly toward the Susa Valley and Via Lattea ski domains.

• H1 2026 Traffic: 2,888,628 passengers (+17.3% vs H1 2025)
• National Ranking: #12 in Italy (Fastest growing in top 20)
• Rail Connection: SFM2 / SFM7 direct train from Porta Susa to Airport (~31 mins)
• Bus Connection: Arriva Airport Shuttle / Flibco from Porta Nuova
• Culinary Highlights: Eataly, Baladin Craft Beer Taproom, Caffè Vergnano

Historically, many locals and visitors defaulted to flying via Milan Malpensa (MXP). However, the transit dynamic has changed considerably:

• Malpensa Transfer: Requires a 1-hour to 1.5-hour drive or shuttle ride, incurring additional toll and transfer costs (~€20–€35 each way).
• Caselle Advantage: Located just 16 km north of the city center, the direct train line connects passengers from the terminal directly to Turin's main railway stations (Porta Susa and Lingotto) in roughly 30 minutes for under €4.

Verdict: For travelers visiting Turin or the surrounding Piedmont region, flying directly into Caselle is now cheaper, faster, and significantly more convenient.

The expansion of Caselle Airport is a direct reflection of Turin's changing urban landscape. Over the last few years, the city has successfully transitioned from a traditional industrial stronghold into an international culture, sports, and gastronomy destination.

Major international events like the ATP Finals, an expanding university student population, and a surging interest in Piedmont's food and wine scene (Barolo, Truffles, Savoy Palaces) have created steady year-round tourism. Caselle's rapid growth proves that Turin is no longer an "underrated secret" — it's a primary destination on the European map.

Beyond culture and gastronomy, Juventus continues to be one of Turin's most powerful international magnets. As one of the most decorated clubs in European football history, the Bianconeri remain a global icon that draws fans and travelers from every continent to the Allianz Stadium season after season. Matchdays fill hotels, restaurants and bars across the city, and the steady stream of international supporters flying in for home fixtures is a significant and consistent driver of inbound tourism through Caselle — proving that Turin's appeal is built as much on sporting passion as it is on food, art and design.

• Assaeroporti: Official Italian Airport Passenger Traffic Report (H1 2026 data release).
• SAGAT (Torino Airport): Terminal expansion press releases and commercial tenant announcements (Eataly & Baladin).
• GTT / Trenitalia: Torino-Ceres railway line schedules and transit connections.