Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (Italian: Aeroporto di Bologna-Guglielmo Marconi) (IATA: BLQ, ICAO: LIPE) is an international airport serving the city of Bologna in Italy. It is approximately 6 km (3. 7 mi) northwest of the city center in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The airport is named after Bologna native Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian electrical engineer and Nobel laureate. The original Bologna airport was opened in 1933 some 500 meters to the west of the present building. This airpo... Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (Italian: Aeroporto di Bologna-Guglielmo Marconi) (IATA: BLQ, ICAO: LIPE) is an international airport serving the city of Bologna in Italy. It is approximately 6 km (3. 7 mi) northwest of the city center in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The airport is named after Bologna native Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian electrical engineer and Nobel laureate. The original Bologna airport was opened in 1933 some 500 meters to the west of the present building. This airport was used until the 1970s, by which time it had become impractically small for passenger numbers and was replaced by the present airport. There is one terminal, which underwent an expansion during 2011–2013. It now covers a total surface 36,100m2, of which 5,500m2 are shopping areas. A new baggage handling system was installed and there are now 24 departure gates, all are bus gates since there are not yet any jetways at the airport. Bologna airport has one runway, 12/30, made of asphalt; its dimensions are 2,800 by 45 metres (9,186 by 148 ft).