The airport was inaugurated on April 21, 1928, and was the first modern civilian airport in the Italian capital. Its location — on the Via Salaria, north of the city — was conceived in relation to the 1920s layout of Rome. Its proximity and ease of connection to the newly expanding urban districts (Prati, Flaminio, and Trieste) were highlighted. Being adjacent to a bend of the Tiber river also made it possible to use it as a base for seaplanes—aircraft, widely used at the time, with two-... The airport was inaugurated on April 21, 1928, and was the first modern civilian airport in the Italian capital. Its location — on the Via Salaria, north of the city — was conceived in relation to the 1920s layout of Rome. Its proximity and ease of connection to the newly expanding urban districts (Prati, Flaminio, and Trieste) were highlighted. Being adjacent to a bend of the Tiber river also made it possible to use it as a base for seaplanes—aircraft, widely used at the time, with two-level hangars that allowed takeoffs directly from inside them. In the 1930s, the airport was the home base of ‹Ala Littoria›, the first Italian flag carrier. During World War II it was militarized, and in 1943 it was bombed. In 1945 it hosted the Baltimore Wing of the Allied multinational air force (Royal Air Force, South African Air Force, and New Zealand Air Force). But the further expansion of the capital city to the north stifled its development, limiting it to its current role: aero club activities, flying schools, sightseeing flights (especially by helicopter), air taxi, and service flights. The airport area also hosts a Carabinieri helicopter unit and a meteorological station, managed by ENAV but operating in support of the Italian Air Force. The Italian Air Force also has significant service and lodging facilities for the Logistic and Sports Center of the COMSEV (Command Supporting Top Entities) and has located its Air Force Band at Rome-Urbe. In 2011, the refurbishment of the aviation infrastructure was completed, and as of June of that year, the new heliport is operational (built and managed by Esperia, a company of the Leonardo Group). The year before, the passenger terminal had been inaugurated, and by the end of 2025 it will be completely renovated and modernized.
