Bologna, 16 July 2022 – Sara a hot summer for those who fly. Not just for the African weather. Many Italian and European airports seem unable to cope with the post-pandemic tourism boom. Which has traffic peaks higher than 2019. And inefficiencies, delays, long queues, flight cancellations and strikes are now on the agenda.
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These are difficult months for the ‘Marconi’ too. Between traffic jams at the entrance to the car parkstriple row car, baggage chaos, queues at security gates and check-ins. “We are working to minimize the inconvenience, but no one has a magic wand,” says Nazareno Ventola, CEO and general manager of the airport.
Engineer, will it be a difficult summer for ‘Marconi?
“Easy solutions, which solve problems in a few weeks, do not exist. It would not be serious to say the opposite. We are working. We ask passengers to be patient”.
What advice can you give to travelers during this period?
“To arrive at the airport well in advance, to avoid the risk of potential queues. And, when possible, to travel only with hand luggage”.
Nail?
“This is the advice of the Ministry of Infrastructure, taken up by many of my colleagues from other Italian airports. I understand that it is not always possible, especially if you go on vacation. But it is the way to avoid inefficiencies and long waits when loading and unloading. “.
A situation bordering on the absurd. How did it come about?
“After the pandemic, handling companies, which also take care of apron and baggage activities, are struggling to find staff. It is not a problem of the ‘Marconi’. It is a problem of airports all over Europe”.
Here there are mountains of ‘abandoned’ suitcases and trolleys.
“It happens when planes arrive without passengers, but full of baggage”.
How is it possible?
“When there is no staff at the departure airport, the plane leaves without luggage in order not to accumulate excessive delay. They are then sent on another flight. With obvious inconvenience for the passengers”.
Meanwhile, some strikes will add up tomorrow.
“It will be a difficult day, we are aware of it. We all suffer national strikes”.
There is also a local strike called by the Usb. They accuse you of ‘saving on staff’ and thus creating ‘enormous disservices to users’.
“That’s not true. These are unfounded statements. Between May and June alone, we hired 80 people, mainly in the security and control area. But also for assistance to passengers with disabilities and other operational tasks”.
However, many complain about long queues, right at the controls.
“Generally, in the moments of greatest crowding the security gates are all open, with adequate personnel. It is true, sometimes lines are created anyway. But they are flowing, and they are resolved in acceptable times”.
Many flights are concentrated in certain time slots. Is it not possible to spread them during the day?
“These are decisions that are up to the airlines.”
At certain times it is difficult even to reach the airport by car. How is it possible?
“Low cost today accounts for 75% of traffic, compared to 55% in the pre Covid period. And low cost airlines tend to concentrate flights and passengers. Traffic peaks are created, with gatherings at the access roundabout to the airport. From our part, we are doing everything possible to encourage the correct use of parking and temporary parking areas “.
When do you have the most difficult traffic situations?
“On weekends. More generally, however, there is also a problem of compliance with the rules. We see cars in double or triple rows, which create an obvious obstacle. But we certainly cannot sanction us. Now there is a greater presence of local police. But the ideal would be to be able to have a permanent garrison “.
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