Montichiari Airport Faces Uncertainty Amid Airline Changes and Management Struggles
A company, Air Dolomiti, that is ceding the Montichiari-Rome route to another airline right now, the Sicilian Gold Wing; another, Artair, which had announced ambitious projects and seems to have redirected its ambitions toward Orio al Serio; yet another, Interfly, which despite some murmurs continues its air taxi service (the only Brescia-based company present at Montichiari). And above all, the long gestation of the management company for Gabriele D’Annunzio Airport.
The current state of Montichiari Airport
The Brescia airport resembles a two-faced Janus. It alternates between excellent development forecasts expressed by industry insiders and uncertainty regarding its future corporate structure, almost a year after the decision made by the Catullo Assembly to establish autonomous management for Montichiari. This resolution was accompanied by fierce controversy between the Verona Municipality shareholder and the Catullo management.
As a result: stunned Brescians (let’s not forget they invested 15 billion euros of public funds in this project) and a stalled development plan. Fernando Sanson nevertheless calls for optimism: “The management company for Montichiari has not yet been established — explains the president of Catullo, who replaced the resigned Massimo Ferro seven months ago — because we do not yet have the ministerial concession to subcontract to Montichiari Airport.”
Conflicts remain within the Verona side, which has strongly contested the project. “With the Municipality — Sanson says conciliatorily — we are working out an agreement to resolve the disagreements that arose during the assembly.” How will the share capital be divided? “Immediately, Catullo, Province of Brescia, and Chamber of Commerce will become part of the Gabriele D’Annunzio project; the percentages will be 85 percent for Catullo and 15 percent for Brescia’s entities.”
The future partner has yet to be chosen: Sacbo from Orio al Serio, Sea from Milan-Malpensa, or others… “Regarding the shareholder’s stake, I’ve already told the Brescia representatives that it would be better if it did not exceed their percentage.”
So, will Catullo hold the majority? “Certainly.” Why did Air Dolomiti decide to leave Montichiari? “We asked the airline to operate a jet aircraft instead of the current turboprop. Air Dolomiti most likely preferred not to divert aircraft from other routes. Montichiari was not strategic for them, so they decided to withdraw.”
The Rome route will be maintained by Gold Wing (which currently operates between Taranto and Malpensa, editor’s note). In any case, Air Dolomiti reassured us about the availability to keep the connection open for a few more days if Gold Wing encounters delays.
The route is planned to use a larger aircraft, the so-called jumbo of 80 seats. What are your forecasts for 2001? “We believe it’s possible to reach 350,000 passengers at Montichiari. We are working with Ryanair to establish the third connection with London and another foreign city; Gold Wing will also handle flights to Romania; and charter flights will also be operated.” w.g.