Dune Aeroclub Città Bianca Francesco Santoro Airfield

The primary reason for closure was legal action stemming from environmental and construction violations. The airfield was found to have been developed without the necessary permits ('abusivismo edilizio') within a protected coastal and landscape area. Authorities, including the State Forestry Corps (Corpo Forestale dello Stato), intervened to halt operations and seize the property due to the unauthorized construction and its impact on the protected environment.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of advanced decay. The single asphalt runway is still clearly visible from satellite imagery but is cracked, faded, and heavily overgrown with weeds and shrubs, rendering it unusable. Any associated buildings, such as hangars or a clubhouse, are derelict, vandalized, or have been removed. The land is not maintained and is slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding natural vegetation.

Named in honor of a local aviator, Francesco Santoro, the airfield was a significant hub for general aviation and recreational flying in the Brindisi province. Operated by the 'Dune Aeroclub Città Bianca', it primarily served private pilots, ultralight aircraft, and a flight school. Its location near the popular tourist destination of Ostuni (the 'White City') made it a convenient base for scenic flights over the Salento coastline. It functioned as a social and sporting center for local aviation enthusiasts rather than a commercial or military facility.

There are no known official plans or credible prospects for reopening the airfield. The severe legal and environmental violations that led to its closure present almost insurmountable obstacles. Given its location in a protected coastal zone, obtaining the necessary permits for any future aviation activity would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. The site is expected to remain abandoned.