Refill and Fly: free drinking water at Italian airports
Traveling with an empty water bottle and refilling it for free after security checks is possible in a growing number of Italian airports.
Assaeroporti, the Italian Association of Airport Managers, relaunches REFILL and FLY, the communication campaign promoted together with the associated airports to remind passengers of the availability of free drinking water inside the terminals. The initiative aims to improve the travel experience and, at the same time, to encourage the reduction of single-use plastic bottles. Before passing through security, passengers can then empty their reusable water bottle or bottle and refill it at the stations in the boarding areas.
Water points in Italian airports
According to the update released by Assaeroporti, drinking water stations are already available in the main Italian airports. At the airports of Ancona and Catania , the activation of the service is underway, while Genoa and Grosseto offer other free ways to refill water bottles and bottles.
Distributors and charging points can be identified inside the terminals through dedicated signage.
Where to find free water in Italian airports
The information published by individual airport managing bodies does not yet have the same level of detail. Some airports accurately indicate the number and location of the stations, while others confirm the availability of the service without publishing the exact location.
| AIRPORT | STATUS | OFFICIAL INFO |
|---|---|---|
| ALGHERO | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| ANCONA | Activation in progress | - |
| BERGAMO | In stock | Water Station after the checks, in the Schengen boarding area, between gates A12 and A13. Also accessible to passengers heading to the Non-Schengen area. |
| BOLOGNA | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| CAGLIARI | In stock | Stations before and after checks. After the checks, they are reported in correspondence of national gates 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18. They are also indicated in the International Arrivals area. |
| CATANIA | Activation in progress | - |
| COMISO | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| WEDGE | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| FLORENCE | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| GENOA | In stock | Free access to drinking water through an alternative mode to normal dispensers. |
| MILAN LINATE | In stock | Free drinking water available in Schengen and non-Schengen areas. |
| MILAN MALPENSA | In stock | Free drinking water fountains distributed in the terminal. |
| NAPLES | In stock | Four drinking water fountains in the Departures areas, after the security checks. |
| OLBIA | In stock | Two free dispensers in the boarding areas, on the ground floor and on the first floor. |
| PALERMO | In stock | Seven free chilled water dispensers, present both before and after checks, including Schengen, Extra Schengen and Arrivals areas. |
| PESCARA | In stock | Free drinking water dispensers in the Departures area. |
| PISA | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| SALERNO | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| TURIN | In stock | Two drinking water fountains in the passenger terminal. Unpublished punctual location. |
| DRILLS | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
| TRIESTE | In stock | Free dispensing point after security checks. |
How to use refill dots
The rules on liquids at security checkpoints do not prevent you from carrying an empty water bottle with you. The container can be emptied before the check and refilled afterwards using one of the dispensers in the boarding areas. The location of the stations varies from airport to airport. In some airports, dispensers are only available after checks, while in others they are also available in check-in areas, arrivals or areas accessible to the public. Once in the terminal, it is advisable to follow the dedicated signs or contact the airport information points, especially in airports that do not yet publish the precise location of the petrol stations online.
Less plastic while traveling
REFILL and FLY is part of the initiatives undertaken by Italian airports to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic and make the passenger experience more sustainable.
The ability to refill a water bottle for free means that you don't have to buy new bottles after security checks and makes it easier to behave responsibly while travelling.
The network is set to expand further: in addition to the airports where the service is already operational, new activations and alternative methods of free access to drinking water are planned.
Can I bring an empty water bottle to security?
Yes. An empty water bottle can be carried in your hand luggage and, once you have passed through security, filled at the drinking water dispensers available in the terminal.
Can I pass the checks with a full bottle of water?
The rules that apply to liquids may vary depending on the airport and the screening equipment used. Where the ordinary limits remain in force, liquids in hand baggage must be contained in containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml. To avoid problems, it is therefore advisable to show up at the controls with an empty water bottle and refill it afterwards.
Where are the water dispensers located at airports?
Refill points are usually located after security, in departures areas and near gates. Some airports also have stations before the checkpoints or in the arrivals area. The exact location varies from one airport to another and is indicated, when available, in the table in this article.
Is the water from the refill points free and drinkable?
Yes. The stations indicated by Assaeroporti allow you to fill water bottles and reusable bottles with drinking water free of charge. Chilled or microfiltered water is also available at some airports.
Do all Italian airports have water points?
Not yet. The service is available at many airports, while in others it is being activated or is guaranteed through alternative charging methods.
How can I recognize a refill stitch?
According to Assaeroporti, the petrol stations are marked inside the terminals by means of dedicated signs. When the location is not immediately visible, you can ask for directions at the airport information desk.
