Ferdinando Sanson on Airport Development and Future Projects for Garda Airports
Sly, pragmatic, and reserved, Ferdinando Sanson, president of «Catullo spa» for about a year, is the Veronese company that manages Villafranca and Montichiari airports. He doesn’t beat around the bush or speak in political jargon but, as a good entrepreneur and heir to the professionalism and prestige that made the family business famous for its gelato (he is also vice president of the Verona Chamber of Commerce), he knows how to get straight to the heart of the matter.
And this was also the case the other evening in the conference hall of the Eurocongressi Hotel in Cavaion, in front of the assembly of the Rotary Club of Peschiera and the Garda Veronese. The evening’s topic was a key issue from both an economic and tourist perspective for the entire lower lake area, where hotel entrepreneurship and craftsmanship coexist splendidly. The area is genuinely attentive to the development of the two nearest airports, Villafranca and Montichiari.
The development of the Garda airport system
The two runways are managed by a single company overseeing the Development of the Garda Airport System. Sanson addressed this topic, encouraging questions from Brescia and Verona entrepreneurs and journalists. He smiled subtly with clear satisfaction when listing the successes of «Catullo spa» over the years. The airports are considered among the best in Italy for passenger service and quick turnaround times, including baggage retrieval.
He also expressed satisfaction with the renewal of the aerial concession at Montichiari, granted by the Ministry of Transport for at least three years. The Montichiari issue had been pending for six months, and some sources considered it a ‘secure matter’ for the Brescians. «But now, a turning point is necessary» – said the president. – «We need to accelerate the development of the D’Annunzio in Montichiari. It boasts the largest available area of any Italian airport. It is ready to expand its cargo center services, charter flights, and some scheduled flights.»
They are investing manpower and resources to counter claims that they want to ‘kill Montichiari,’ as some have accused. «We would be crazy» – Sanson emphasized –. The future markets of Veneto and Lombardy are right there, and we must unite forces, dismissing political or personal disputes. These same controversies have prevented Brescians over fifty years from converting a weed-filled runway into a proper civil airport.
Projects and issues regarding airport management
The «Catullo» team has succeeded, added the president. In six months, they opened the second runway with a 60 billion lira investment and inaugurated it in March ’99 in the presence of Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema. Another question concerns the management company of D’Annunzio. «I am waiting for signals from Brescia» – Sanson added. – «I know that the presidents of the Brescia (Cavalli) and Verona (Merlin) provinces must meet to overcome some misunderstandings.»
The same issues prevented the Brescia partners of «Catullo» (Province and Chamber of Commerce) from approving the budget at the June assembly. The matter concerns the sidelining of the new management company, as Brescia (including the Municipality) desires more visibility and an equity balance.
And what about the new Brescia airline Air Italy? «Stay alert» – Sanson advises. – «It’s easy to start, but also easy to see it fail quickly. Meanwhile, they are seeking other business areas, such as hangar-workshops for airlines. These could keep their aircraft, especially new jets, parked at Montichiari.»
Reconversion projects and future development
Regarding reconversion of military areas, Sanson explained: «A reconversion that would entail enormous costs for our Villafranca company, let alone for the future transformation of Ghedi». To grow, significant investments, including foreign capital like that of Sea Milano, will be necessary. This company appears to plan to transfer the cargo sector from Malpensa to Montichiari.
The evening, also attended by the Rotary of Brescia Sud-Est-Montichiari, took place with the presence of the new president, Francesco Puccio, accompanied by his wife, Elisabetta Gnutti. A special guest invited Sanson to a similar meeting in Montichiari, likely scheduled for October.
