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Crises and Hope - The Power of Memory
The laying of the first stone for Marco Polo Airport in Tessera marked the end of the struggle to retain Nicelli Airport’s role as Venice’s primary air terminal. The production of new airplane models with greater capacities and power revolutionized the requirements of the growing air traffic and caused some foreign airlines to begin using Treviso airport instead of Nicelli; later, as the national airlines became more modernized, they also switched to Treviso.
The shift from Nicelli to Marco Polo occurred after staunch resistance from those who had experienced the airport's heyday and its former commercial success. The battle to defend the airport’s primacy was conducted both locally and in Parliament. The protagonists included people of diverse ages and political beliefs. Among these figures was the attorney Domenico Giuriati: a World War I pilot, the author of the first Italian aeronautical code, the Italian representative for the IATA (International Air Transport Association), and a tireless supporter and defender of a project to enlarge Nicelli within the air force, which owned the airport. Mayor Gianquinto was another vigorous defender of the airport. In a dramatic night session of the Chamber of Deputies, he succeeded in having a vote taken on a resolution that recognized the need for Venice and the Triveneto region to have an airport that could handle the overwhelming development of world air traffic, yet ensured funding for lengthening Nicelli’s runways to at least 2,300 metres. This modification would have made it possible for Officine Aeronavali to accommodate large new aircraft, after the required work, and create the regional air transport centre that Klinger and the Venice Chamber of Commerce were championing.
The inauguration of Marco Polo marked the beginning of Nicelli Airport’s third decline – the most serious and complicated decline of its existence, which had been postponed as long as possible by Klinger. To delay the transfer of Officine Aeronavali to Tessera, the president of the company created groups of equipped technicians to provide assistance at other airports to planes that could not land at Nicelli. When the cost of these groups of workers proved to be unsustainable, Klinger reluctantly decided to transfer the industrial enterprise, overcoming the emotional impact that such a decision entailed. With skill, courage and the support of devoted technicians and workers, the operation was carried out despite the enormous financial exposure. This industrial enterprise, founded on logically sound projects and equipped with suitable machinery and equipment, was greatly admired and formed the basis of the large future company Alenia.
In an attempt to keep Nicelli operational, the historical G. Ancilotto Flying Club of Venice continued promotional and training activities that inspired institutional activities, as well as shows that still evidence their initiatives, including International Air Shows. Key players included such illustrious figures as Gianquinto, Ligabue and Mozzetti Montemurici.
Despite their efforts, the Flying Club was unsuccessful in attaining this objective. Nicelli Airport’s long decline was momentarily interrupted when the pilot and aviation enthusiast Luciano Sorlini purchased and restored the hangars and buildings formerly owned by Officine Aeronavali. Misunderstandings and other difficulties soon ended this encouraging interlude. It was not until the early years of 2000 that new signs of revival appeared, with the management company Nicelli SpA initiating such projects as the restoration of the terminal and the construction of a new, modern air traffic control tower, as well as aprons and new hangars. The events that occurred in these years affirm the importance of memory, with many public and popular projects highlighting such notable figures in the airport's history as Renato Morandi and Umberto Klinger, a key factor in the airport’s revival and its return to an appropriate and productive use. 
Studying the airport’s history and providing moral and constructive support to the management company’s undertaking are now fundamental objectives for the Friends of G. Nicelli Airport Association. (BD)
Collaborazione per la parte storica dell'Associazione Amici Dell'Aeroporto G. Nicelli Elaborazione testi e selezione immagini a cura di Bruno Delisi e di Franco Briganti. Si ringraziano per la disponibilità gli archivi Aerofan, Caproni, Briganti, Klinger, Morandi e OAN
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