Naples Airport - History

History

The district of Capodichino - in the area known as "Campo di Marte" - hosted in 1910 the first flight exhibitions in Naples. During the First World War, "Campo di Marte" became a military airport in order to defend the town against Austro-Hungarian and German air attacks. Dedicated to Ugo Niutta (an Italian aviator), Capodichino Airport was a military air base during the Fascist Era and Second World War.

During World War II the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces extensively during the Italian Campaign. It was used by the Twelfth Air Force as a combat airfield, which stationed the following units at the airport: 79th Fighter Group (January - May 1944, P-40 Warhawk/P-47 Thunderbolt); 47th Bombardment Group (March - April 1944, A-20 Havoc); 33d Fighter Group (April - May 1944, P-40 Warhawk). When the combat units moved out, Air Transport Command used the airport as a major transshipment hub for cargo, transiting aircraft and personnel for the remainder of the war.

Commercial traffic started in 1950. In 1980 GE.S.A.C. ("Gestione Servizi Aeroporto Capodichino") was established to administer the airport; in 1982 it became "Gestione Servizi Aeroporti Campani") and participated in by the City Council, the province of Naples and Alitalia. In 1995 GE.S.A.C. drew up - with BAA assistance - a new master plan, which marked the beginning of a twenty year development plan. After two years (1997) GE.S.A.C. was the first airport management company in Italy to be privatised: BAA acquires 70% of the share package from the City Council and Province of Naples. In 1998 the "Galleria Napoli" opened, a shopping arcade open 365 days a year inside Terminal 1. In 2002 H.R.H. Prince Charles inaugurated the new departure lounge. In March 2003 GE.S.A.C. assumed total management of Naples Airport with a 40 year license valid until 2043.