Ever wondered about Palermo’s forgotten airport? Right here before you stands Aeroporto di Palermo-Boccadifalco. More than just a relic it’s a living testament to aviation history.
Palermo-Boccadifalco Airport also known as Giuseppe and Francesco Notarbartolo Airport is one of Italy’s oldest airports. It opened in 1931. It sits on the city’s outskirts near Monte Cuccio. Today a botanical garden and an ancient villa grace its grounds. The villa serves as the Officers’ Club for the Italian Air Force.
During World War II Boccadifalco played a crucial role. It served as a base for the Italian Regia Aeronautica. The 4th Aerial Zone had its headquarters here. Allied forces seized it during Operation Husky in 1943. The US Army Air Forces Twelfth Air Force used it as a combat airfield. The 52d Fighter Group flew Supermarine Spitfires from July to December 1943. After the war Boccadifalco became Palermo’s main airport. For a time it was the third busiest in Italy.
This remarkable airport was even involved in some unexpected events. Some wreckage from the 2005 Tuninter Flight 1153 crash was stored here. A fuel fire in 1943 caused significant damage to the airfield’s infrastructure. It even hosted the prestigious Beppe Albanese aeroclub boasting 300 members and six aircraft. Its runways bear witness to decades of takeoffs and landings.
In 1960 Palermo International Airport opened. This newer airport is located 33 kilometers west of the city. Boccadifalco then reverted to military and civil use. The Italian aviation authority ENAC gained sole control on January 1 2009. Today Aeroporto di Palermo-Boccadifalco primarily serves general aviation. No commercial flights operate from here. It remains a significant piece of Palermo’s aviation heritage. A place where the past and the present meet in a captivating blend of history and quiet beauty.