FYI to all Rome travelers flying on American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, and US Airways from FCO. And those flying El Al to Israel from Rome
A new Departures terminal, Named TERMINAL 5, is now open at FCO. I dropped a friend off today and she left from the new terminal. This new "departure" terminal caters to US flagged airlines and cost $19.9 million to build. If you are familiar with FCO then it is located PAST the "C" Departures branch of the old terminal. Keep driving past C terminal and look for the SIGNAGE... you will need to bear to the right and then right again! It appears shuttle busses are now running from the "old" terminal area...
It's a remote structure 800 m from the main check-in area.
After passengers go through a more rigorous security check - for US flagged airlines - then the passengers
will be transported to the terminal C departure lounge by another shuttle bus.
A quote from "Wanted in Europe"...
"The new terminal is intended to reduce congestion at security checkpoints, exacerbated by the rigid security protocols adopted by the United States government for destinations in the USA following the 11 September terrorist attacks. After inspecting terminal 5, United Sates undersecretary of transportation John R. Byerly told reporters that he was very satisfied with the increased level of security and convenience the new structure would offer to US-bound travelers."
So give yourself a little more time until the quirks are worked out on the "transition" to this new Terminal (which sounds like a "check-in and security" area) if you are flying on American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, and US Airways - or El Al to Israel.
Ciao from Rome,
Ron