On the occasion of the inauguration of the new departures terminal at Milan Bergamo Airport, Giovanni Sanga, President of SACBO, talks about the evolution of the airport and the main innovations introduced by the expansion project.
The interview delves into the new passenger route, the introduction of the latest generation technologies for security checks, the prospects related to the future rail connection and the strategic vision that continues to guide the growth of the Bergamo airport.
The expansion of the airport to the east represents an important milestone for Milan Bergamo airport. What objectives have you set yourself with this intervention and how will it contribute to improving the management of flows and the overall efficiency of the airport?
"First of all, we needed to adapt the infrastructuretothegrowth of the airport, both in terms of passengers and with respect to the general interest that the infrastructure itself generates. This is why we have designed an important expansion project that, on the one hand, would make access easier for passengers and, on the other, would guarantee safety at the highest level, while creating the conditions for adequate comfort, which is now required by passengers when they need to access and, above all, wait for the flight that will take them to their destinations".
With the introduction of the new baggage control and security system, based on the latest generation technologies and simplified procedures, what concrete advantages will passengers experience in terms of time, comfort and quality of service?
"Some obstacles will be overcome that passengers perceive as difficult to bear when they are invasive, although they are often aimed at safety. The ability to keep electronic devices in your bag is a great convenience, as is being able to transport liquids up to 2 liters in the same container: a set of solutions and elements that facilitate the routes and the approach to the airport itself.
A modern airport must be like this: an airport that reduces waiting times, facilitates operations and, at the same time, safeguards the highest standard of safety".
The future railway connection with the airport marks a turning point in Lombardy mobility. What impact do you expect in terms of environmental sustainability and accessibility for passengers from other provinces and regions?
"The rail link between the airport, the city of Bergamo and the city of Milan is truly an infrastructure that will further change the face of this airport. It is estimated that about 30% of arriving passengers will be able to reach the airport not by car, but by train: a change that also involves a significant contribution in terms of sustainability, with a reduction in CO₂ and pollution.
It also means inserting the airport in a high-level road and transport context. Suffice it to say that the programming generated by this connection alone will lead to about 154 daily routes between Orio, Bergamo and Milan: some direct, others with stops. This, of course, will also revolutionize the railway system and the service, representing a further opportunity for Orio travellers.
Needless to say, all this will raise the standing of our airport, which will grow in terms of image and also in terms of how it presents itself to the world. There will therefore be a connection, so to speak, Bergamo-Milan express and then the one that will make the various stages. With the Lombardy Region, we are studying how it will have to pursue the itinerary and the stops that will be made".
Looking beyond 2026, what will be the priorities to continue to improve the passenger experience and the positioning of Milan Bergamo among the reference airports in Northern Italy?
"Looking beyond 2026, the priorities will be to continue to improve the passenger experience at the airport and to consolidate, further strengthening, the positioning of Milan Bergamo among the reference airports in Northern Italy.
First of all, it will be essential to consolidate what has been achieved in recent years: it is in fact a matter of makingit usable in the best possible way, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. At the same time, there is a need to further improve accessibility from both the east and the west. Today, it is mainly from the west, that is, from the city; for this reason we are also planning mobility eastwards, in the direction of Grassobbio-Seriate, so as to distribute accesses and reduce traffic on the same road infrastructure, thus improving access and practicability".
