Fleet Care Program at Rome Fiumicino (LIRF)
Twelve-month appearance plan for based fleets: scheduled service, fixed budget, priority AOG cover.
The Fleet Care Program at Rome Fiumicino (LIRF) is a twelve-month appearance plan for charter operators, corporate flight departments and FBOs with aircraft based in or frequently transiting Italy's busiest airport. The program combines scheduled quick turns, monthly interiors and seasonal exteriors into a single contract with fixed monthly billing per tail number. Because Fiumicino accepts general aviation only between 23:01 and 06:00 local—when Ciampino is closed—our service calendar is built around your overnight positioning or early-morning departures, with priority crew allocation and 24/7 AOG cover included.
16R/34L · 3902 m, 16L/34R · 3902 m
AIP and airport data15 ft
H24; general/business aviation accepted only 23:01-06:00 local (when Ciampino is closed)
30 km
Rome city centre (south-west)2 on the airport
independent, no affiliationNone – no General Aviation Terminal; passengers clear CIQ in the main commercial terminal
Why choose a fleet program at Rome Fiumicino rather than booking individual cleans?
Recurring aircraft require recurring plans. A fleet program replaces the cycle of last-minute calls, variable pricing and crew availability roulette with a fixed service calendar, a dedicated contact and a monthly budget you can forecast twelve months ahead. Every visit is logged with photos and service history; every quarter we review appearance trends with your operations team.
For fleets that transit Fiumicino weekly—or position there overnight—the program delivers priority crew allocation, so you are not competing for slots with one-off requests. AOG cover is included at no additional cost: if an aircraft goes tech and needs a rapid turnaround, our crew is already cleared airside and familiar with your fleet's cabin materials and cheat-line finish. One invoice, one contact, no surprises.
The program is particularly suited to charter operators whose aircraft return to LIRF between legs, and to corporate flight departments using Fiumicino as a European hub. If your fleet spends more than six nights a year on the Fiumicino apron, a twelve-month plan typically costs less than booking the same work piecemeal.
What changes at Rome Fiumicino that affects fleet appearance work?
Fiumicino sits at 15 feet elevation, 30 kilometres south-west of Rome city centre, and operates H24—but general and business aviation is accepted only between 23:01 and 06:00 local, the hours when Ciampino is closed. That window defines the service calendar: most fleet aircraft position in late evening or depart early morning, so quick turns and interior work happen overnight. Slots are coordinated and PPR is required for every movement.
The airport has three runways: 16R/34L and 16L/34R, each 3,902 metres, plus 07/25. There is no General Aviation Terminal and no FBO facilities; passengers clear customs and immigration in the main commercial terminal, and handling agents—AviaVIP and Universal Aviation—operate as supervisory agents without dedicated VIP terminals. For appearance crews, that means all work is done on stand, often on the commercial apron, with no shelter and no GPU unless arranged in advance through your handler.
Airside access is tightly controlled. Our crew holds permanent airside passes and coordinates with the handling agent before every visit; if your aircraft is parked remotely, we arrange escort. Water for exterior wash is available but subject to seasonal restrictions during summer drought months. Rinseless wash is the default method for quick turns; full wet wash with decon is scheduled during cooler months or when the aircraft is cold-soaked overnight.
How does the twelve-month service calendar work around my flight schedule?
When you join the program, we build a service calendar for each tail number based on your typical rotation: quick turns after every flight, monthly interiors during longer ground times, seasonal exteriors and brightwork when the aircraft is down for scheduled maintenance or off-charter. The calendar is shared with your operations team and updated as your schedule changes.
For aircraft that transit Fiumicino two or three times a week, we typically schedule a dry wash or rinseless exterior after each arrival, a deep interior clean once a month when the aircraft has a twelve-hour layover, and a full exterior with single-stage polish twice a year. If your fleet includes ultra-long-range aircraft that position overnight between transatlantic legs, we time the interior work to finish before crew rest ends, so the cabin is ready when the pilots return.
Because Fiumicino's GA window is narrow—23:01 to 06:00—most work happens in that span. Quick turns are completed in two to three hours; monthly interiors take four to six hours depending on cabin configuration and soil load. If an aircraft is delayed inbound or departs earlier than planned, we adjust the crew start time; if the delay pushes the departure past 06:00, we coordinate with your handler to ensure the work is logged in the tech log before the slot closes.
What does the handling agent expect when a third-party appearance crew works on my aircraft?
Handlers at Fiumicino—AviaVIP and Universal Aviation—expect advance notice, usually 24 hours, and a clear scope of work: exterior wash, interior detail, or both. We send a crew notification to the handler before every visit, listing the tail number, stand location, estimated start and finish times, and any special requirements such as GPU or external lighting. The handler confirms airside access and, if the aircraft is parked remotely, arranges escort.
Once on stand, our crew checks in with the handler's ramp supervisor and coordinates with the flight crew if they are present. We do not open panels, touch avionics, remove seat cushions or access the flight deck without explicit permission. If the aircraft is being refuelled or serviced simultaneously, we wait until fuelling is complete and the bowser has cleared before starting any wet work near the wings or nacelles.
After the work is finished, we photograph the result, log the service in our system and leave a completion note in the cabin or email it to the captain. The handler invoices you separately for ramp fees and any GPU time; our monthly fleet invoice covers only the appearance work. If your handler prefers a different protocol—some want the crew to report to the operations desk first, others allow direct ramp access—we adapt. Clear communication prevents delays and keeps everyone airside happy.
What is included in the fixed monthly budget, and what costs extra?
The monthly budget covers all scheduled work in the service calendar: quick turns, monthly interiors, seasonal exteriors, brightwork polish and service documentation. It also includes priority crew allocation, 24/7 AOG cover, quarterly appearance reviews and service history with photos. The budget is calculated per tail number and remains fixed for the twelve-month term, so you can forecast appearance costs accurately.
What sits outside the monthly budget: unscheduled deep cleans requested between monthly interiors (for example, after a catering spill or a charter with pets), emergency decon after a bird strike or belly contamination, and any work that requires materials not part of the standard kit—such as leather repair, carpet extraction or galley appliance cleaning. These are billed separately at our standard hourly rate, but because you are in the program, you still receive priority scheduling and the same crew familiar with your aircraft.
Handler fees, ramp fees, GPU and any permits required by the airport authority are always your responsibility and invoiced by the handler directly. If your aircraft is parked overnight and we need lighting for exterior work, we arrange that through the handler and confirm the cost with you before we start. No hidden charges, no surprise invoices.
How do I join the Fleet Care Program at Rome Fiumicino, and can I adjust the schedule mid-term?
Joining is straightforward: contact us with your fleet details (tail numbers, aircraft types, typical rotation through LIRF), and we prepare a service calendar and a fixed monthly budget. Once you approve both, we issue a twelve-month contract and add your fleet to our priority roster. The program starts on the first day of the following month, and we send you a digital service calendar that syncs with your operations software.
Mid-term adjustments are expected. If you add a tail number to the fleet, we calculate a pro-rated monthly budget for the remaining months. If an aircraft leaves the fleet or is grounded for heavy maintenance, we pause that tail's schedule and adjust the invoice. If your flight schedule changes—say, you move from twice-weekly transits to daily positioning—we update the service calendar and, if the change is significant, recalculate the budget at the next quarterly review.
The program is renewable at the end of twelve months. Most operators renew because the fixed budget and priority access remove the friction of managing appearance work trip by trip. If you choose not to renew, you can still book us for individual services at standard rates, but you lose the priority crew allocation and the fixed pricing. For fleets that treat Fiumicino as a hub, the program pays for itself in the first six months.
Questions operators ask about Fleet Care Program at Rome Fiumicino
Is the Fleet Care Program available only for aircraft based at Rome Fiumicino?
No, it is available for any fleet that transits or positions at LIRF regularly, typically six or more visits per year. The program is designed for fleets that use Fiumicino as a hub or frequent transit point, not just aircraft with a permanent base there. If your fleet transits LIRF six or more times a year—whether for charter legs, crew changes or positioning flights—the program delivers better value and priority access than booking individual cleans. We build the service calendar around your rotation, not your home base.
Can I include multiple aircraft types in the same fleet program?
Yes, the program accommodates mixed fleets; each tail number has its own service calendar and monthly budget. Mixed fleets are common: a super-midsize for short European hops, an ultra-long-range for transatlantic, perhaps a light jet for domestic positioning. Each tail number receives its own service calendar tailored to its mission profile and cabin configuration, and the monthly budget reflects the aircraft size and typical service frequency. One contract, one invoice, multiple tail numbers.
What happens if my aircraft is delayed and misses the scheduled service window?
We reschedule the service to the next available slot, usually within 24 hours, at no additional cost. Delays happen. If your aircraft misses its scheduled quick turn because of weather, ATC or a tech issue, contact us as soon as you have a revised arrival time. We reallocate the crew to the next available window—often the following night if you are positioning overnight again—and complete the work then. Because you are in the program, you do not lose your place in the queue or pay a rebooking fee.
Does the program include de-icing or anti-icing fluid application?
No, de-icing is arranged through your handling agent, not through the appearance program. De-icing and anti-icing with Type I or Type IV fluid are operational services provided by the handler or a specialist subcontractor, not by appearance crews. If your aircraft requires holdover protection during winter operations, coordinate that with AviaVIP or Universal Aviation. We can schedule a dry wash after de-icing to remove residue from the belly and gear bays, but the fluid application itself is outside our scope.
How do you handle service documentation and records for each visit?
Every service is logged with date, time, scope of work and photos, accessible through a shared online portal. After each visit, we upload the service record to a shared portal: tail number, date, start and finish times, work completed, any observations (such as paint chips on the leading edge or stains in the galley), and before-and-after photos. Your operations team can access the portal anytime to review service history, download photos for insurance or pre-purchase inspections, or check the schedule for upcoming visits. Quarterly, we compile a summary report and review it with you.
Can I request additional services outside the calendar, such as an emergency belly wash after a hydraulic leak?
Yes, AOG and unscheduled work are covered under priority access and billed separately at standard rates. AOG situations—hydraulic leaks, bird strikes, lavatory spills—are handled immediately. Contact us, and we dispatch a crew to the stand as soon as the aircraft is released by maintenance. Because you are in the program, you receive priority over one-off requests and the same crew familiar with your aircraft. The work is billed separately at our standard hourly rate, but you do not wait in a queue or pay a surcharge for short notice.
What is the cancellation policy if I need to exit the program before the twelve months are complete?
You may exit with 30 days' notice; any prepaid months are credited or refunded, less completed work. If you need to exit early—because you sell an aircraft, change your European hub or ground the fleet—give us 30 days' notice. We calculate the value of work completed to date, credit any prepaid months and issue a final invoice or refund. There is no penalty, but you forfeit the fixed monthly rate and priority access for any future one-off bookings until you rejoin the program.
How do you coordinate with my flight crew if they are resting in a hotel during overnight service?
We coordinate through your operations team or handler; direct crew contact is only needed if there is a cabin access issue. Most overnight work happens while the flight crew is off-duty. We receive the service brief from your operations desk or the handler, access the cabin using the door code or handler key, complete the work and lock up when finished. If we encounter a secured compartment, a no-touch avionics panel left open or a question about OEM materials, we call the captain or your ops contact. Otherwise, the crew returns to an aircraft that is clean, logged and ready for the next leg.
Does the program cover brightwork polish and paint protection, or only cleaning?
Yes, seasonal brightwork polish and single-stage paint correction are included in the service calendar. The program is not just about removing dirt; it is about maintaining appearance over twelve months. The service calendar includes seasonal brightwork polish (nacelles, leading edges, winglets), single-stage paint correction to remove oxidation and restore gloss, and hydrophobic sealant application to protect the fuselage between washes. These are scheduled during longer ground times or when the aircraft is cold-soaked overnight, so the products cure properly before the next flight.
Can I trial the program for three or six months before committing to twelve?
We offer a six-month trial program with the option to convert to a full twelve-month contract at the same rate. If you are unsure whether a fleet program suits your operation, start with a six-month trial. The service calendar, priority access and fixed monthly budget apply from day one. At the end of six months, if you convert to a full twelve-month contract, the rate remains the same and the trial months count toward your service history. If you choose not to continue, the trial ends with no penalty, and you revert to standard one-off booking.