From WWI bombing sites to the first Italian airport privatized
In short: Naples International Airport is more than a transit hub; it is a palimpsest of Italian history. From its origins as a military training ground to its role in pioneering women's aviation, the site has evolved from a site of wartime destruction into a modern gateway for global commerce.
The airport's roots lie in the 19th-century Campo di Marte, a 44-hectare diamond-shaped site established by Joachim Murat in 1816. Originally used for military training during the Bourbon period, it became a cradle for early aviation experiments. The site held local aviation displays starting in 1910; later, in 1912, a historic event occurred when Naples' first female aviator, Rosina Ferrario, flew above the town while scattering crimson flowers.
The site's development was accelerated by conflict. Following a devastating 1918 Zeppelin bombing that killed approximately thirty people and damaged the city's industrial heart, the Italian government moved to strengthen the airfield's defenses. During World War II, the airport served as a critical base for both the Regia Aeronautica and later the Allied forces. By 1943, the RAF's No. 324 Wing and various U.S. Army Air Force groups utilized the base for fighter and bombardment operations, including aircraft like the Supermarine Spitfire and the P-47 Thunderbolt.
Naples made history in 1997 by becoming the first Italian airport to be privatized, a move driven by the strategic need for private-sector management. Since then, it has transitioned into a major international hub. In 2025, it handled over 13.2 million passengers, ranking as the busiest airport in Southern Italy. Today, it blends high-tech infrastructure—such as its 2,628-meter runway and advanced docking systems—with cultural heritage, featuring a permanent archaeological exhibition that showcases statues of Nike and Hermes to arriving travelers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Naples International Airport
- Also: Wikidata — Naples International Airport · CC0
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