10 January 2008

Malpensa, an issue to be sorted out

I’m publishing an interview given to today’s il Giornale.
On Monday 15 January in a mini-cabinet we will have a discussion about the reduction in the number of flights for the airport of Malpensa. One thing is clear: we can’t throw to the wind twenty billion in investments in a region that today represents the engine of the economy in this country.
Il Giornale: Many people reckon that Malpensa is not well connected and that this is its main handicap. How do you respond?
Antonio Di Pietro: We have already created a lot of infrastructure, and together with the Region we are in the process of creating more. With the Region, we have had meetings and have done positive things like the “Pedemontana” {Motorway running through the foothills of the mountains}, the connection with the Turin-Milan motorway, the connection to the Fiera{exhibition area in Milan). We have put in a lot of money and anyway, Malpensa is there. For us to ask now whether it was right to put the hub in the heart of the Po valley is like asking whether it was right to build a hospital that exists anyway and is an excellent structure. There would be no sense in closing either one or the other.
Il Giornale: Are you intending to tackle this issue in the Council of Ministers to get clauses safeguarding Malpensa?
Antonio Di Pietro: We will have to see in the Council of Ministers, but the “Tavolo Milano” {Roundtable on Milan} is even more important. At this moment, its function is more sensitive, because it has strict commitments. I will repeat officially the commitments made by the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Il Giornale: In the last few meetings, the “Tavolo Milano” seemed to have little substance. Will you ask for strong commitments?
Antonio Di Pietro: I will repeat that I intend to keep to the completion of the infrastructure connections that are useful for Malpensa. Having said that, I will go and ask what the others intend to do because we don’t intend to construct cathedrals in the desert. I will ask what guarantees they intend to give. We will talk about the issue of Malpensa without regard to the situation of Alitalia or at least we will have a look at what needs to be done regardless of Alitalia.
Il Giornale: The meeting between Bossi and Prodi has not brought great results. Does it seem to you that it would be realistic for the government to defend Malpensa?
Antonio Di Pietro: I don’t know what is realistic. I’m in the habit of looking at that the day after. Actions in defence of Malpensa are in defence of the system of Italy. The intercontinental airport does not just serve Lombardy but the whole country. And it should be considered in reference to what it can become in the future, above all with its insertion in Corridor 5. My commitment is to take action so that Malpensa’s air traffic can grow still more.
Il Giornale: There are those who propose accepting Campania’s rubbish in exchange for guarantees of slots.
Antonio Di Pietro: The two things must be kept separate. I will fight to ensure that Malpensa’s functioning continues. Something like that seems offensive for Campania and for Lombardy. It would be a cattle market.
Il Giornale: How is it possible to keep the intercontinental routes?
Antonio Di Pietro: Thinking of Malpensa’s future only in terms of the slots is reducing the issue. No one is denied four slots. But the problem is the intermodality because we have to be sure that any possible upset doesn’t lead to the whole thing not being used. An interchange is needed, the strengthening of the Ferrovie Nord {Northern Railways} and the connections with Switzerland, the Pedemontana {motorway running through the foothills of the mountains}. After that the slots then come on their own. Already now, there are extra ones that are not being used. Perhaps the problem will be resolved like that. If I were in the Region of Lombardy, I would not rest. The aircraft will come if they find an economy that is fruitful.
Il Giornale: What do you think of Formigoni’s idea for a Northern company?
Antonio Di Pietro: I don’t know. When I see it functioning I will see. Even “Volare” was a Northern company and it flew straight into the hands of the bankruptcy court. In itself, it is neither good, nor bad.
Il Giornale: And a mixed State-Region company on the business model of the Cal for the Lombardy motorways?
Antonio Di Pietro: It’s not my job to say.

Posted by Antonio Di Pietro in Economy