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Comiso Airport (CIY) is a small airport in Italy, located on the Sicilian island in the southern Ragusa province. It is also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport and was originally constructed for military operations from 1935 to 1939. The airport was used for military purposes by the Italian Air Force and the United States Air Force until the early 2000s, when it began its transition to a civil airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Comiso, Italy; 3 miles/5 km from downtown Comiso; 9.3 miles/15 km from Ragusa, Vittoria, and Gela |
| Address | Strada Provinciale 5, 97013 Comiso RG, Italy |
| Telephone | +39 0932 961467 |
| Airport Codes | CIY (IATA and FAA LID), LICB (ICAO) |
| Elevation | 620 feet/190 meters above sea level |
| Coordinates | 36.991667°N and 14.606944° E |
| History | Construction started in 1935 and was finished in 1939; Used for military operations; Refurbished and opened to civil aviation in 2013 |
| Runway | 2,538 m (8,327 ft) long and 60 m (200 ft) wide; 45 m (148 ft) with two hard shoulders, each of 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in); Two fast exits (B and C) |
| Control Tower | 19 m (62 ft) high |
| Passenger Volume | Approximately half a million passengers per year; 91,861 passengers in July 2023 |
| Airlines | Air Malta Airlines, Alitalia, Brussels Airlines, Ryanair, Neos, AeroItalia, Transavia France, FlexFlight, Wizz Air Malta, Volotea |
| Destinations | Lille, Paris (Orly), Milan (Bergamo, Malpensa), Brussels, Pisa, Malta, Brussels, Parma, Rome (Fiumicino), Verona, Tirana |
| Smoking Policy | Smoking is not allowed inside the airport; Designated smoking areas are available outside the terminals |
| Duty-Free Allowance | EU travelers: unlimited duty-free goods; Non-EU travelers: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco, and up to EUR 430 worth of other goods |
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What You'll Learn
Comiso Airport is located in southern Italy, 3 miles from downtown Comiso
Comiso Airport is located in southern Italy, about 3 miles from downtown Comiso. The airport is situated in the Sicilian island's Ragusa province, approximately 9.3 miles from Ragusa, Vittoria, and Gela. It is a small airport that serves the Noto Valley area in Sicily.
The airport was initially used for military purposes, with construction beginning in 1935 and completing in 1939. During World War II, the base's buildings were largely bombed-out shells, and the runway had trees growing on it. Following the war, the airport fell into disuse until 1954 when Alitalia, Italy's national airline, commenced commercial operations. The airport underwent refurbishment and expansion, with a new runway constructed, to transition to civil aviation.
Comiso Airport, also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport or Pio La Torre, has an international airport code of CIY (IATA), LICB (ICAO), and CIY (FAA LID). It is located at an elevation of around 620 feet above sea level. The airport serves as a base for both charter flights from European cities and scheduled flight routes throughout the year. Air Malta Airlines, Alitalia, Brussels Airlines, and Ryanair are among the carriers operating at Comiso Airport, offering flights to various destinations in Italy and Europe.
The airport experienced a significant surge in passenger traffic in July 2023, recording an all-time high of 91,861 passengers, reflecting a remarkable increase compared to the pandemic year of 2020. Comiso Airport prohibits smoking inside the terminal, designating specific outdoor areas for smoking. It provides customer information services via telephone, and the region offers a range of tourist activities to suit different interests and ages.
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It is also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport
Comiso Airport is also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport, often referred to as Pio La Torre. The airport is located in the Sicilian town of Comiso, Italy, and serves four cities: Comiso, Ragusa, Vittoria, and Gela. It is situated just 3 miles (5 km) from downtown Comiso and about 9.3 miles (15 km) from Ragusa, Vittoria, and Gela. The airport is easily accessible by various means of transportation, including airport shuttles, local buses, taxis, and private transfers. Sicily Shuttle offers transfers to nearby cities, including Comiso, Vittoria, Pozzallo, Ragusa, and Modica, with ticket prices starting at €15.
Comiso Airport has a long history, dating back to its construction between 1935 and 1939. During World War II, it was used by the Allies, primarily for supporting airborne and assault glider operations. After the war, the airport fell into disuse until 1954 when Alitalia, the Italian national airline, commenced commercial operations. The airport has undergone refurbishment and expansion over the years, including the construction of a new runway and control tower, with the first civil flight taking place in April 2007.
During the Cold War, Comiso Airport played a strategic role as the second European main operating base for BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM) deployed by NATO. This decision was in response to the development of intercontinental and intermediate-range missiles by the Soviet Union. The airport has also served as a base for the Italian Air Force's 41st Storm of Catania until 1973 and hosted U.S. military personnel during the early 1980s.
Today, Comiso Airport serves both charter and scheduled flights, with most flights being charter operations to and from European cities. The airport handles a significant number of passengers, with an annual volume of around 350,000 to 500,000 passengers. The peak season for air traffic is during the summer, between April and October, attracting many tourists to the Italian island. Notable airlines operating at Comiso Airport include Air Malta Airlines, Alitalia, Brussels Airlines, and Ryanair, offering flights to various destinations across Europe.
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It was used for military operations during the Second World War
Comiso Airport, also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport, is located in southern Italy, in the Sicilian province of Ragusa. The airport was constructed from 1935 to 1939 and was used for military operations during the Second World War. During the Second World War, Comiso Airport served as one of several key aerodromes in southern Sicily.
In 1941, German forces were stationed at the airport as part of Italy's Axis Alliance. The German Luftwaffe used the airport as a base to conduct air operations against Allied positions in the Maghreb and Malta. The Luftwaffe's presence at Comiso Airport was short-lived, as the airfield was bombed by the Allies on multiple occasions in 1943, rendering it unusable. These bombings were carried out in preparation for Operation Husky, the Allied landings on Sicily.
After the Allied bombings, the base was captured on 11 July 1943 and reused in the European Campaign. Six days later, the Allied air forces began operations at Comiso Airfield, primarily supporting airborne and assault glider operations. Known Allied units assigned to the base included Supermarine Spitfire squadrons and the Royal Air Force Serving Commandos. The airfield remained under Allied control until their departure in early 1945, after which it fell into disuse during the postwar years.
During the postwar period, the airport underwent refurbishment, and in 1954, Alitalia, the Italian national airline, began commercial operations. The facilities were extended, with a new runway, and the airport was opened to civil aviation. Despite its previous use as a military airfield during the Second World War, Comiso Airport eventually transitioned to a civil airport at the beginning of the 2000s.
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The airport serves around half a million passengers a year
Comiso Airport, also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport, is located in the town of Comiso in the Province of Ragusa, Sicily, Italy. It is situated 5 km from downtown Comiso and 15 km from Ragusa, Vittoria, and Gela. The airport serves around half a million passengers annually, a mix of charter flights from European cities and scheduled flight routes. The airport's busiest season is during the summer, between April and October, when many tourists visit the Italian island.
Comiso Airport has a varied history, initially serving as a military base for aircraft and transport. Construction began in 1935 and was completed in 1939. During World War II, the airfield was utilised by Allied air forces, supporting airborne and assault glider operations. After the war, the airport fell into disuse until 1954 when Alitalia, the Italian national airline, commenced commercial operations. The transition from a military to a civil airport occurred between 2005 and 2008, with refurbishment work taking place from 2004 to 2008. The first civil flight took off in April 2007, and the airport officially opened to traffic in May 2013.
Comiso Airport offers flights to several destinations within Italy, including Milan, Parma, Rome, and Verona. There are also direct flights to two destinations in France: Lille and Paris (Orly). The longest nonstop route from Comiso Airport is to Lille, covering a distance of 681 miles. This flight is operated by Volotea and takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes.
The airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years. In July 2023, Comiso Airport recorded an all-time high of 91,861 passengers, reflecting a remarkable surge of 712% compared to July 2020 during the pandemic. However, in the second quarter of 2023, the airport witnessed a 34% slump in passenger numbers compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Comiso Airport provides various ground transportation options, including local bus lines and taxi services. The airport also offers special assistance for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility, ensuring a smooth travel experience.
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It has a smoking ban indoors and allows duty-free goods
Comiso Airport, also known as Vincenzo Magliocco Airport, is located on the Sicilian island, in southern Italy, in the Ragusa province. The airport is about 3 miles from downtown Comiso and 9.3 miles from Ragusa, Vittoria, and Gela. Comiso Airport serves around half a million passengers a year, with a mix of charter flights from European cities and scheduled flight routes.
Comiso Airport has a smoking ban indoors. Smoking is not allowed in any inside area of the airport, and there are no smoking facilities inside the terminal. However, smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminals. This is in line with a trend towards 100% smoke-free policies in airports worldwide, influenced by increasing public health concerns and dedication to travellers' well-being.
On the other hand, Comiso Airport allows duty-free goods. Passengers travelling to Comiso Airport from within the EU are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of duty-free goods from their departure country, as long as the price included tax and the goods are for personal use. For passengers travelling from outside the EU, there are specific allowances for duty-free goods, including 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco, and up to 430 EUR worth of other goods. These goods must also be for personal use, and bringing larger amounts may incur duty or tax charges.
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Frequently asked questions
Comiso Airport is located in southern Italy on the Sicilian island, in the Ragusa province.
The airport code for Comiso Airport is CIY.
The phone number for Comiso Airport is +39 0932 961467.
Some popular destinations from Comiso Airport include Milan, Brussels, and Malta.
No, smoking is not allowed inside Comiso Airport. Designated smoking areas are located outside the terminals.
