Sarzana/Luni Airport (LIQW)

This military field with limited civilian use can, with some paperwork, indeed be used to a certain extent. Ideal for those heading to the La Spezia/Lerici area or to Carrara, Massa, Forte dei Marmi who don’t like the rocky, short runway at Massa LILQ (especially since the fees there have become quite high).

Everything is handled through the small local Aeroclub Lunense. You must submit all aircraft documents as PDFs at least one week in advance and formally join the club. Email: aeroclubsarzana@tiscali.it. Membership costs €100 per calendar year. You then register each flight and pay another €15 per landing.

The biggest limitation: the aeroclub (and thus the fire service/ARFF) is generally only present on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you want to fly on other days, you must arrange the corresponding fire service in advance separately and pay significantly for it. It helps with the bureaucratic part if you can communicate in Italian, but the club staff apparently manage in English as well.

The aeroclub apron is northeast of the runway, separated by a gate. As a member you can also get Avgas 100LL (€3/l). The aeroclub has a Warrior and a TB9 but flies only infrequently. However, there is a huge aeroclub restaurant in a pleasant garden setting.

So: if you want to spend a few days vacationing in the area, this field is a good option and ultimately not too expensive, especially if you come several times a year. On request, the club will also help arrange a rental car.