CiampinoG. B. Pastine International Airport (Italian: CiampinoAeroporto Internazionale G. B. Pastine) (IATA: CIA, ICAO: LIRA) or simply Rome Ciampino Airport, is a joint civilian, commercial and military airport near Rome in Italy. The airport is situated 6.5 NM (12.0 km; 7.5 mi) south southeast^[1] of central Rome, just outside the Greater Ring Road (Italian: Grande Raccordo Anulare or GRA) the circular motorway around the city.

Ciampino Airport was opened in 1916 and is one of the oldest airports still in operation. It was Rome's main airport until 1960, with traffic amounting to over 2 million passengers per year. After the opening of Leonardo da VinciFiumicino Airport, Ciampino handled almost exclusively charter and executive flights.

History [edit]

During World War II, the airport was captured by Allied forces in June 1944, and afterward became a United States Army Air Forces military airfield. Although primarily used as a transport base by C-47 Skytrain aircraft of the 64th Troop Carrier Group, the Twelfth Air Force 86th Bombardment Group flew A-36 Apache combat aircraft from the airport during the immediate period after its capture from German forces.

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.^[3]

The terminals were extended at the beginning of 2007.

Airlines and destinations [edit]

Statistics [edit]

After decades of stagnation in scheduled traffic, low-cost carriers have boosted Ciampino; it is now one of the busiest and fastest growing airports in Italy. Passenger traffic in 2007 was 5,402,000 (9,24% up from 2006; 2006 itself had seen an increase of 16,75% compared to 2005).^[4] Traffic has grown so much that noise complaints are now forcing the Italian Ministry of Transport to look for a third airport for Rome, which could take over some part of the excess traffic of Ciampino. Passenger traffic in 2008 was 4,788,931 with a decrease of 11.31% compared to 2007 due to economic crisis and EasyJet gradually moving routes to Leonardo da VinciFiumicino Airport.

Ground transportation [edit]

There is no rail transport at Ciampino Airport. There are direct bus connections both to Roma Termini railway station and to close local stations (either metro or regular train). From the local stations there are train services to Termini and other destinations.^[5]

• COTRAL/Schiaffini operates buses from outside the terminal building to Anagnina metro station.
• Regular buses go to the Ciampino local train station, from which a train can be taken to Roma Termini.
• Bus operators Terravision ltd, Schiaffini and BusShuttle run a direct services to Roma Termini, travel time is about 40 minutes.
• Taxis and rental cars are available at the airport.

Accidents and incidents [edit]

• On 10 January 1954, BOAC Flight 781, a De Havilland Comet, broke up in mid air and crashed shortly after takeoff from Ciampino Airport, en route to London Heathrow Airport. There were no survivors.
• On 8 April 1954, South African Airways Flight 201, another Comet, broke up in flight and crashed not far from Ponza. Both crashes were attributed to manufacturing defects in the Comet.
• On 21 December 1959, Vickers Viscount I-LIZT of Alitalia crashed short of the runway on a training flight exercise in landing with two engines inoperative. Both people on board were killed.^[6]
• On 10 November 2008, Ryanair Flight 4102 from Hahn suffered damage during landing. The cause of the accident was stated to be birdstrikes affecting both engines. The port undercarriage of the Boeing 737-8AS collapsed.^[7] The aircraft involved was Boeing 737-8AS EI-DYG. There were 6 crew and 166 passengers on board.^[8] The airport was closed for over 24 hours as a result of the accident.^[9] Two crew and eight passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.^[10] As well as damage to the engines and undercarriage, the rear fuselage was also damaged by contact with the runway.^[11]

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Official website
• Ciampino Airport Information (English)
• Current weather for LIRA at NOAA/NWS
• Accident history for CIA at Aviation Safety Network