Giannutri Airfield

Environmental protection. The airfield is located on the island of Giannutri, which is a core area of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, a highly protected nature reserve. The operation of a fixed-wing airfield, with its associated noise, pollution, and infrastructure, was deemed incompatible with the conservation goals of the park. The regulations imposed after the park's establishment effectively prohibited its continued use and led to its decommissioning.

The site is completely abandoned and in a state of disuse. Satellite imagery and visitor reports confirm that the former runway is overgrown with native Mediterranean scrub ('macchia mediterranea') and is no longer distinguishable or usable as an airstrip for fixed-wing aircraft. The small building that likely served as a hangar or terminal is dilapidated. While the fixed-wing airfield is closed, the area is still designated and occasionally used as an emergency helipad for the Protezione Civile (Civil Protection) and air ambulance services, as helicopter access remains critical for the island.

Giannutri Airfield, known in Italian as 'Aviosuperficie di Giannutri', was a small general aviation airfield with a single unpaved (grass/dirt) runway approximately 700 meters long. Its primary functions were:

1. **Tourism:** It provided a direct link for private pilots and small air taxi services, bringing tourists to the remote and exclusive island, which was otherwise only accessible by sea.
2. **Emergency Services:** It was a vital piece of infrastructure for the island's safety, used for medical evacuations (medevac) to hospitals on the mainland.
3. **State Operations:** The airfield was used by the Corpo Forestale dello Stato (State Forestry Corps) for logistical support and as a forward base for aerial firefighting operations in the archipelago, which is prone to summer wildfires.

There are no known official plans or realistic prospects for reopening the airfield to fixed-wing aircraft. Its location within a strictly protected National Park makes obtaining the necessary environmental permits and authorizations virtually impossible. The environmental impact of reactivating and operating an airfield would directly conflict with the park's mission to preserve the island's unique ecosystem. Any discussion of reopening is purely speculative among aviation enthusiasts and is not pursued by any official body.