Malpensa over the next twenty years, and its impact. Assessment to begin.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Malpensa will begin in a few weeks. This was announced by Giuseppe Bonomi, the president of SEA (the company that manages the airports of Linate and Malpensa), who met members of the Territorial Commission of the regional council on Thursday 14 April, at which Councillor Stefano Tosi (Democratic Party, the only Varese member of the Commission) was present. The aim of the meeting was to assess the situation of SEA’s activities (also in light of the stock market listing), and, most of all, of the future of Malpensa. Bonomi explained, “SEA’s investment plan will primarily regard the Varese airport. Here, €1.4 billion is going to be invested, and we are only speaking about market capital. The EIA will begin in a few weeks.”

This master plan, by SEA and the Italian civil aviation authority, ENAC, will have an impact over the next twenty years. It is on the matter of the EIA that the opposition Democratic Party and Stefano Tosi asked the councillor responsible for the territory, Daniele Belotti, a question, which will be answered during the meeting on 28 April. Tosi said, “We think that the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Area Plan should be done before the EIA. Remember that, as Bonomi has said, the aim is to attract 500,000 tonnes of goods that can’t yet come to the North of Italy.”

 

Then, Bonomi revealed Malpensa’s 2010 figures: nearly 19 million passengers, with a growth with respect to 2009 of 8% more than the Italian and European averages; more than 400,000 tonnes of goods, an increase of 26.6% over the previous year; 168 destinations in the summer season, and 110 airlines. The chairman then confirmed the already announced increase in the airport tariffs. “But this doesn’t mean that we’re ‘going to put our hands into people’s pockets’,” he explained. “I can rule out any effects on low-cost flights, which represent 33% of the income of the airlines present.”

Bonomi then confirmed another fact, without hiding his criticism. “The government did not give permission to Singapore Air for the Malpensa-New York flight.”

Tosi also considers this “misguided”. “As a result, we will lose the chance to expand into a new market that would be fundamental.”

 

Finally, Bonomi commented on the stock market listing. Once the whole procedure has finished (which should be in October), Milan city council will still have 51%, which is, nonetheless, much lower than the current 84.6%. “We have already planned for categories for whom there will be specific plans for purchasing new shares. These are employees and residents in the Lombardy region.” As a result of this choice, SEA will no longer be a “Milanese company”, and profits will no longer be reinvested only in the Milan city council, but all over the region.”