The airport is situated in the steep-sided alpine valley of the Ticino river. It is flanked to the north by the A2 motorway and the river, and to the south by the Gotthard railway and the villages of Ambri and Piotta.
The mountains surrounding the airport housed bunkers of which were home to tactical buildings, fighter aircraft and troops. The bunkers were accessed by taxiways that passed under the A2 motorway, and over the Ticino river.[1]
In 1994 the Swiss Air Force base was deactivated, and the airfield converted into a civilian airport. The Aircraft cavern that formerly accommodated the base still exists but are now empty.[1][2]
