Porto Cesareo Airfield

The closure was the result of a combination of factors, primarily bureaucratic and economic. The private management found it increasingly difficult and costly to comply with evolving and stricter regulations set by ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile - the Italian Civil Aviation Authority). This, coupled with the high operational and maintenance costs versus declining flight activity, made the airfield economically unsustainable.

The site is currently abandoned and in a complete state of disrepair. The asphalt runway, approximately 800 meters long, is still clearly visible on satellite imagery but is severely cracked, weathered, and overgrown with vegetation, making it unusable for any type of aircraft. There is no security or maintenance. The area is sometimes used unofficially and improperly by locals for activities like go-karting, learning to drive, or drone flying. All former airfield infrastructure is either derelict or has been removed.

Porto Cesareo Airfield, known locally as an 'aviosuperficie', was a key general aviation facility for the Salento peninsula. It was not a commercial airport but served a vital role for recreational and tourist aviation. Its primary operations included:
- **General Aviation:** It was a base for local pilots and private aircraft owners.
- **Flight Training:** Flying clubs used the field for training new pilots.
- **Tourism:** Its strategic location near the pristine beaches of Torre Lapillo and Porto Cesareo made it ideal for tourist sightseeing flights over the Ionian coast, one of the most popular summer destinations in Italy.
- **Aerial Work:** The airfield was likely used for minor aerial work such as banner towing for beachside advertisements.
It was a social and operational hub for the local aviation community and contributed to the region's tourism appeal.

There are currently no official, funded, or concrete plans to reopen the Porto Cesareo Airfield. Over the years, the idea has been floated in local discussions by politicians and business groups, citing its potential to boost high-end tourism, facilitate air taxi services, and serve as a strategic base for civil protection (e.g., firefighting aircraft). However, these proposals have remained speculative. The significant costs required to completely rebuild the runway and infrastructure to meet modern safety and regulatory standards, along with potential environmental impact concerns in a protected coastal area, present major obstacles to any realistic prospect of reopening.