Montichiari Airport to Become Major Northern Italy Cargo and Passenger Hub
A “cargo center” with a storage capacity for over 60 million kilograms of goods, double that of Verona. This is one of the goals set for the future of Montichiari’s “D’Annunzio” airport. The plan involves immediately constructing the first warehouses, with around ten billion euros allocated for initial investments. So, the future Montichiari Hub isn’t just about passenger traffic. Positive signals in this regard have recently emerged, as explained earlier, from two important meetings: the conference in Milan on May 31, organized by the Region, and a press conference held by Catullo (the company managing both Verona and Montichiari airports) in the boarding hall of “D’Annunzio” last Tuesday. Both sides sent a clear message: the Brescia airport will have a secure future in passenger transport (anticipating 20 million passengers annually by 2010) and as a cargo center with capacities exceeding those of “Catullo,” the reference airport.
Future Developments and Investments
The Milan meeting was rich with ideas and projects, which had already received solid early indications in the past, aimed at establishing Montichiari as the second Hub of Northern Italy alongside Malpensa. Future plans were particularly outlined by Giorgio Fossa, president of SEA, and Roberto Formigoni, president of the Region. However, concrete early announcements came last Tuesday from Marco Franchini, general manager for management and development of “D’Annunzio,” and his guests attending the presentation of the first fully loaded flight from Montichiari runway by the Antonov aircraft—the largest commercial airplane in the world. All attendees are betting confidently on the bright future of “D’Annunzio,” citing the large available space, the courteous staff, the cooperation of authorities and law enforcement, and the plans Catullo is preparing. These plans include building new warehouses with immediate investments of between eight and ten billion euros as the first phase.
But the most important point, as Bortolazzi, administrator of Verona Cargo Center, said, “the limit for goods supported by Verona is about 30 million kilograms, but Montichiari has a development plan that can reach 60 million, therefore double.” Franchini dismissed rumors suggesting Montichiari is “a backup for Verona,” instead confidently projecting a bright future for the entire Aeroporti del Garda group, “the best airport infrastructure in Southern Europe.” Verona’s Interporto Quadrante Europa (which includes General Warehouses, Verona Market, Logistic Centers, Forwarding Centers, Trucking Centers, customs, and a railway terminal) allows for the movement, customs clearance, storage, handling, and distribution of all kinds of goods. However, the future of air freight transportation to Villafranca might remain focused solely on agri-food products (due to saturation), considering the large fruit and vegetable market Verona is developing, leaving everything else to Montichiari.
Franchini also issued a call to Brescia users: “to make greater use of their airport, for trips to Rome with Alpi Eagles or to plan holidays in Tunisia with Bottega dei Viaggi.” Alternatively, to catch the Alpi Eagles flight, starting today, June 9, connecting Montichiari with Olbia, Sardinia’s tourist capital.
