Is this European city the ultimate paradise for expats?

In Italy, Rome's Fiumicino airport has emerged as a central hub for aviation in Europe, achieving remarkable growth in passenger numbers for 2023. According to reports released on December 6, the airport experienced a staggering increase of 38.2 percent in passenger traffic compared to the previous year, well above the European average increase of 19.3 percent. This surge is attributed to a general revival in air travel within the European Union, which saw a total of 973 million passengers in the year. The Fiumicino airport's new prominence in the European aviation landscape has positioned it ahead of other major cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. The improvement in passenger numbers indicates a renewed enthusiasm for air travel and suggests confidence in the recovery of the aviation sector post-pandemic. These developments occurred prior to the approval of the merger between Ita Airways and Lufthansa, which is anticipated to further enhance the operational capabilities and traffic at Fiumicino. In contrast to the thriving passenger traffic, commercial flight movements have seen a drop, with total air cargo and mail transport within the EU declining by 5.2 percent. This dual scenario paints a complex picture of the current aviation market where passenger travel rebounds sharply while commercial sectors struggle. Thus, Rome Fiumicino may continue to grow in importance and capacity in the coming years, depending on how the merger plays out and the potential it unlocks for new routes and increased frequencies. Concomitantly, a separate report highlights the appeal of cities in Europe for expats, with Zurich topping the list in terms of quality of life. The Mercer report noted Zurich's enhanced airport connections as a significant factor in its ranking. Other cities in the top ten include Vienna, Geneva, and Copenhagen, indicating that European cities not only offer reputable living standards but are also increasingly recognized as attractive locations for international talent and businesses seeking to expand their operations globally. Rome, despite its airport success, didn’t rank among the best cities for expats, underscoring the variance in perceptions of livability in major urban centers across Europe.