Celebrating 100 years in flight - HADID partners Riviera Airport

HADID International Services has partnered Riviera Airport to celebrate its 100 Year anniversary on February 16, 2023. The airport is commemorating this milestone with a new book titled “Cento Anni al Volo” (“100 Years in Flight”) which will chronicle airport's fascinating history and its evolution over the past century. HADID whilst assisting in marketing activities and operating the modern-luxury FBO under the name HADID Riviera.

Located in the town of Villanova d'Albenga,Riviera Airport is used primarily for private planes and helicopters and is exclusive to General / Business Aviation. Originally named after Clemente Panero, a WW1 war hero, it served as a military airbase and became a civilian airport after World War II. In the late seventies, it expanded into the freight sector, such as the flowers of western Liguria, but also with scheduled flights connecting to Rome and other summer destinations such as Corsica and Sardinia. In 2016, renamed to Riviera Airport as part of its privatisation and efforts to attract affluent travellers and executives flying by private jet to Monaco and other destinations on the French-Italian Riviera.

Chairman of HADID, Mohamad Hadid, commented: "We are delighted to be a part of this historic moment for Riviera Airport. At HADID Riviera, we have the privilege of operating an exclusive, world class facility in a beautiful location and serving remarkable people. HADID looks forward with Riviera Airport to the next chapter in its history and development. We encourage anyone with the means, to experience Riviera Airport for themselves, as a perfect alternative entry point to Monaco and the Cote d’Azur.” 

Clemens Toussaint, shareholder and Vice-President of Riviera Airport said: "We want to invest, build hangars, and transform this place into a major hub for general aviation and private aviation. Piaggio, an important Italian aircraft manufacturer, is located at our runway, and there is significant traffic from private jets on the Italian and French Riviera, so we want to position ourselves as an alternative. Our airport is relatively unknown, but it is located at the intersection of three countries, Italy, France, and Monaco, and we are discussing future developments. We intend to position the airport as the ‘gateway to Monaco’ taking advantage of the proximity and the short flight time to the principality by helicopter."

Its recent renovations and expansion projects includes the airport’s partnership with HADID to renovate the FBO, creating a new luxury terminal with best-in-class amenities such as a VIP lounge, private conference rooms and a full- service business centre. Furthermore, the Board of Riviera-Airport recently presented to ENAC, the Italian aviation authority, a project to improve the aeronautical infrastructure such as a new hangar, enlarged apron and extended runway. This project represents the latest development in the airport's history and reflects the shareholders' aspirations to elevate the airport to a strategic level for Italy in the coming decade, whilst establishing itself firmly as the premier point of entry to Monaco.

The book, Cent’anni al Volo, which will be available at the airport and presented during the anniversary event, will include photographs and stories from the airport's past, as well as information about the current state of the airport, including its recent renovations and expansion projects.