Ciampino
Ciampino: an airport of great historical importance
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about the Rome-Ciampino "G.B. Pastine" airport, one of the main airports in Italy. The airport, named after Giovan Battista Pastine, is located southeast of Rome, near the A90 highway, covering 3/4 of the capital city of Rome's territory and 1/4 of Ciampino's territory.
Airport management
The airport is mainly civilian and is managed by the company Aeroporti di Roma together with the Rome-Fiumicino Airport in Fiumicino, forming the Rome airport system which in 2017 welcomed over 46.8 million passengers.
Traffic and restrictions
Ciampino airport is an international airport that provides service to low-cost airlines, cargo airlines, and general aviation. In 2021, the Lazio Regional Administrative Court and the State Council established that the maximum number of daily air movements for the airport is 65.
Airport activities
In addition to commercial traffic and general aviation, the airport is also the main base for the Viking Air 415 firefighting aircraft fleet of the Italian Fire Brigade. The airport can be reached from the SS7 via Appia.
Airport history
Ciampino airport was born as an airship yard in 1916, thanks to its favorable location southeast of Rome and its proximity to the Appia Nuova road and Ciampino Station. In the past, it was considered the "real" airport of Rome.
The role of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force
In 1917, Rome-Ciampino airport was used by the Royal Navy to shelter its aircraft intended for the defense of the middle Tyrrhenian traffic, and from 1923 the operational activity of the 1st Aerial Observation Group began. In 1924, with the advent of the Royal Air Force, the airport was divided into the Ciampino Airfield and the Fiorano Airfield.
The Norge airship and the 20th Reconnaissance Wing
In 1926, the Norge airship departed from Ciampino for the transpolar flight Rome - Alaska under the command of General Umberto Nobile. From 1924 to 1939, the airfield hosted the 20th Reconnaissance Wing.
The Rome-Ciampino airport represents not only an important hub for air traffic, but also an example of Italian history and heritage in the field of aviation.
