Palermo Airport Departures

Palermo Airport is relatively small and, whatever means of transport you arrive by, the departures area is easy to access.

There is a drop-off area directly outside the entrance for taxis and private vehicles. At the eastern end of the terminal is an area for transfer buses to drop passengers. Public buses and coaches park on the lower level, close to arrivals, and passengers can take the lifts or escalators to the check-in areas. From the train station, stairs, escalators and lifts provide access. The short-stay car park is opposite the terminal and the shuttle bus from the long-stay car park drops off outside the departures hall.

The airport can be busy, particularly at peak times, so you should arrive at least two hours before your scheduled departure. As many airlines now allow you to check in online or via their app on mobile devices, and if you have no hold luggage, you can arrive earlier and go straight through to the departures lounge. If you haven't checked in or you have hold bags, check the information screens for which check-in desks are assigned to your flight. There are two check-in areas, A with desks one to fifteen and B for desks sixteen to twenty-six.

If you do need to check in and have to wait for the desks to open, there is a bar/restaurant serving hot and cold food and drinks. A shop sells newspapers, magazines and books and there is a bank, currency exchange, pharmacy and bank cash points. Unlimited free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport.

Check-In

When checking in, you are required to show a valid passport or, for citizens of Schengen area countries, a national identification card. Your hold bags will be weighed and your hand baggage might be weighed and checked for size. If they don't conform to the airline's regulations, it can be expensive, so it's worth checking before you get to the airport.

There are a number of goods which are restricted or prohibited from being carried on flights. Sharp objects cannot be carried in hand baggage but can go in hold bags. On the other hand, lithium batteries are forbidden in the hold but are allowed in the cabin.

For the full details of the restrictions and allowances, check the CAA website at www.caa.co.uk.

Security Screening

Whether your boarding pass is printed or stored on a mobile device, it will be scanned on entry to the security screening area so, to avoid any delay, have it ready.

While queueing for screening, you can prepare yourself. Remove jackets, belts and any metal objects such as jewellery which will need to be placed in the provided trays along with the contents of your pockets. At the conveyor, place your bags and tray of belongings on the belt. Large electronic devices such as laptops will have to go through separately. Liquids cannot be in individual containers larger than 100ml and have to be put into a transparent plastic bag.

When you walk through the metal detector arch, you should get a green light. If you have forgotten to remove any metal articles, a red light will show and you will be scanned for the offending article.

Departures Lounge

After security, you will arrive in the departures lounge. If you have allowed enough time you can relax here before going to your departure gate.

You should regularly check the information screens for your flight details and departure gate number. They will also inform you of any delays.

In the departures lounge is a choice of restaurants and bars selling hot and cold food and beverages and alcoholic drinks. In the retail area, you can browse fashions, sunglasses, electronic goods, newspapers, books and souvenirs.

The free unlimited Wi-Fi allows you to catch up on some last-minute work or chat on social media.

When your gate number is displayed, usually around forty minutes before the scheduled departure, go there promptly so that you can board without delay.