Statement by the President of Confindustria Lombardia, Alberto Ribolla

Milan, 9 February 2015 – “The competitive landscape has changed radically over the last few decades. Global competition is now between advanced regional macro-areas, with the capacity to attract human capital and investment. Only with integrated, modern infrastructure designed specifically for the regions can Lombardy aim to become an active part of these competitive macro-areas and make the most of its strengths, such as medium-tech.

Macro-areas become competitive when they have the capacity to mobilise people and resources. From this perspective, we are at a disadvantage compared to our European competitors. Suffice it to say that none of the airports in Northern Italy feature among the top ten in Europe by passenger numbers. All the areas that form the economic backbone of Europe, with the exception of the North, have an airport in the top ten,” explained Confindustria Lombardia President Alberto Ribolla during his speech at MCE 2015.

“To compete, we have no choice: we must make the most of our unique characteristics by pursuing long-term strategic planning that enhances them. An essential point of this strategy must be a rethink of the airport system, to boost the great potential of Lombardy and Italy, and to adapt this system to EU objectives for airport strategies, namely: integrating the economies of different states, developing regions homogeneously, connecting centres of excellence, and increasing the level of interaction between businesses and citizens.

In a key area like Northern Italy, an intercontinental hub is essential to promote development and connect regions, people, goods, and businesses with the rest of the world. We therefore hope that the National Airport Development Plan moves in this direction and is based on principles of rationalisation, specialisation, and integration,” concluded Alberto Ribolla.

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