Our Review of Olbia Airport (OLB)

Table of contents: Our Review of Olbia Airport (OLB) Pros and Cons of Olbia Airport (OLB) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Olbia Airport (OLB)

All the information featured on this page was compiled and written by David Enrich, a renowned expert in aviation and airport guides, since 1999.

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports around the world, gaining a clear understanding of what users expect when visiting an airport. With this know-how, we have created this guide, placing passengers at the forefront of everything, aiming to simplify and enhance the airport experience.

In this Guide, our goal is to present information in a manner that is both quick and reliable. Recognizing that passengers often have limited time and may be in a hurry, we strive to ensure that they do not waste time unnecessarily.

Another key focus of our guide is to highlight the strengths of the airport and also the weaknesses, and in some cases, offer recommendations to travelers. In alignment with this approach, we provide users with aggregated information on delays and on-time performance, analyzing both airlines and individual flights.

Other Reviews

This summary is based on recent reviews and ratings from Skytrax, Google Reviews (as reflected in Flightradar24 and eSky), and user experiences shared on Yelp. These platforms aggregate traveler feedback and expert evaluations, providing a broad perspective on Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport’s strengths and weaknesses.

Review Highlights

Positive Aspects:

Cleanliness and Modernity: Multiple reviewers praise the airport for being "superbly clean and tidy," "brand new," and "luminous". The terminal is described as modern, well-maintained, and pleasant to spend time in.
Ease of Navigation: Travelers consistently note that the airport is "small, clean, and easy to navigate," with clear signage and a logical layout. This makes arrivals and departures stress-free, even during busy periods.
Shops and Local Flavor: There is a good selection of shops, including those selling authentic Sardinian products and books. Food and beverage options, while not extensive, are generally well-received for quality and local character.
Comfortable Waiting Areas: Reviewers mention comfortable seating and quiet areas, particularly on the second floor, which can be a welcome respite during peak times.
Staff Friendliness: Staff in shops and cafes are described as pleasant and helpful, contributing to a positive passenger experience.
Fast COVID Testing: The on-site health testing center is noted for its efficiency and cleanliness, with quick turnaround times for results.
Free Wi-Fi: Unlimited Wi-Fi is available and appreciated by travelers.

Negative Aspects:

Limited Public Transport: A frequent complaint is the lack of direct train connections and limited public bus options, making advance transport planning essential, especially for tourists without a car.
Congestion in High Season: During the summer, the airport can become congested, with longer security queues and crowded spaces.
Limited Food and Beverage Variety: While quality is good, the range of food and beverage options is considered limited for an airport of this size.
Mixed Security Staff Experience: Some travelers note that while shop and café staff are friendly, experiences with security and immigration staff can be less positive.
Internet Issues (historically): Older reviews mention high internet charges and occasional connectivity problems, though more recent feedback suggests this has improved.

Expert Ratings

Skytrax: 3-Star Regional Airport, with strengths in cleanliness, comfort, and staff service in retail/food areas, but weaker in official security and immigration service.
eSky/Google: Consistently high marks for location, waiting areas, signage, shops, parking, and cleanliness.
Yelp: Generally 4–5 star reviews, highlighting ease of use, local flavor, and a pleasant atmosphere.

Final Score and Justification

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Justification:
Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport stands out for its cleanliness, modern facilities, ease of navigation, and friendly retail staff. It offers a pleasant, efficient experience for most travelers, especially those visiting Sardinia’s resorts. However, limitations in public transport, seasonal congestion, and a relatively modest range of food options prevent it from reaching top marks. For a regional Mediterranean airport, it performs very well, especially for leisure travelers, but could improve further with expanded transport links and more diverse amenities.

Pros and Cons of Olbia Airport (OLB)

5 Pros of Olbia Airport

Strategic Location: Olbia Airport is ideally situated as the main gateway to the Costa Smeralda and northeast Sardinia, making it the best choice for travelers heading to Olbia, Arzachena, La Maddalena, and luxury resorts like Porto Cervo.
Modern Facilities: The terminal was completely renovated in 2004 and offers modern amenities, including shops, restaurants, car rentals, and efficient ground transport.
Efficient Ground Transport: There are frequent bus connections to Olbia city center and the train station, as well as easy access to taxis and car rental services, all located right in front of the terminal.
Parking Convenience: The airport offers a large parking area with both short- and long-term options directly in front of the terminal, including spaces for passengers with reduced mobility.
Luxury and Private Aviation: Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is renowned for its premium services, catering to private jets and luxury travelers, with personalized ground handling and seamless transitions.

5 Cons of Olbia Airport

Limited Public Transport: There is no direct train, metro, or tram station at the airport; travelers must use a bus or taxi to reach the main train station in Olbia city.
Seasonal Traffic Peaks: The airport experiences very high passenger volumes between April and October, leading to potential congestion and longer wait times during the summer months.
Single Terminal: With only one passenger terminal, space can become crowded during peak travel periods, especially with the influx of both budget and premium travelers.
Limited International Routes Year-Round: Many international flights are seasonal, so options may be reduced outside the main tourist season.
Parking Costs: While convenient, parking fees can be relatively high for short-term stays, and long-term parking fills up quickly in summer.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (IATA: OLB, ICAO: LIEO) is the main gateway to northeastern Sardinia and the world-famous Costa Smeralda. Located just 4 km south of Olbia city center, this modern airport is a key hub for both Italian and international travelers, especially during the busy summer season.

Quick Facts

Location: 2.5–4 km south of Olbia city, Sardinia, Italy
Passenger Traffic: Over 3.2 million passengers in 2023, with strong growth and a diverse network of European and domestic routes
Terminals: One main modern terminal (T1) open 24/7, plus a smaller T2 for charter operations
Runway: One asphalt runway, 8,022 ft long, suitable for large jets
Airport Code: OLB (IATA), LIEO (ICAO)

Facilities & Services

Parking: Over 1,100 spaces, including short- and long-term options, all directly in front of the terminal. Spaces for passengers with reduced mobility are available. Parking is open 24/7 and guarded.
Transport: Buses, taxis, shuttles, and car rentals are available just outside arrivals. There is no train station at the airport, but Olbia’s main train station is a short bus or taxi ride away.
Car Rental: All major international and local agencies are present, with desks inside or near the terminal. Booking in advance is recommended, especially in summer.
Check-in & Security: 31 check-in desks, 16 gates, and 5 jet bridges ensure efficient passenger flow.
VIP & Fast Track: Fast Track security is available for €15, and the Club Lounge (near gate A1) offers premium comfort for €50 per person.
Shops & Dining: Duty-free, local Sardinian products, restaurants, and cafés are available both landside and airside.
Wi-Fi: Free and unlimited throughout the terminal.
Family & PRM Services: Dedicated facilities for families and passengers with reduced mobility, including baby changing rooms and reserved parking.
Other Services: Tourist information, lost & found, luggage storage, ATMs, and a pet relief area.

Airlines & Destinations

Olbia Airport connects Sardinia with major Italian cities (Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples) and dozens of European destinations (London, Paris, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Barcelona, Dublin, Madrid, and more), with many routes operated seasonally by airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Volotea, Wizz Air, British Airways, and others.

Getting To and From the Airport

By Car: Easy access via the SS127 and SS125 highways; follow signs for “Aeroporto.”
By Bus: Local buses connect the airport with Olbia city center and the main train station in about 10 minutes.
By Taxi: Taxis are always available outside arrivals; a ride to the city center costs about €15 and takes under 10 minutes.
Car Hire: Pick up your rental directly at the terminal and explore the island at your own pace.

Tips for Travelers

Book parking, car hire, and Fast Track online for the best rates and availability, especially in high season.
Arrive at least 2 hours before your flight during summer months due to increased passenger traffic.
Explore the Club Lounge for a relaxing pre-flight experience, or enjoy local Sardinian food at one of the airport’s cafés.
Take advantage of free Wi-Fi and the pet relief area if traveling with animals.

In Summary

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport is a modern, efficient, and traveler-friendly hub, offering excellent connections, convenient services, and a welcoming Sardinian atmosphere. Whether you’re arriving for a luxury holiday or heading home, the airport’s facilities and location make your journey smooth and enjoyable.

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation