Airports in Italy's north-eastern region are set to benefit from a fresh injection of investment. The company Milione, which controls the SAVE Group, has received €640 million from a syndicate including CDP, alongside BNP Paribas Italia, Crédit Agricole, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mediobanca, Société Générale and UniCredit. The funds will finance new investments in the development and revitalisation of Venice and Treviso airports in the wake of the pandemic.
The two airports are considered strategic hubs of TEN-T, the Trans-European Transport network. Venice is one of the three Italian intercontinental gateways (together with Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa) with direct connections to North America and the Middle East.
The financing will be used to invest in technological and sustainable development at both airports, with the installation of new, highly efficient systems for passenger and baggage flow management. Venice will also benefit from an expanded terminal to accommodate future passenger growth.
Having set the goal of achieving zero-carbon status by 2030 – 20 years ahead of EU targets – the SAVE Group is planning to invest in agri-voltaic power plants to generate geothermal energy and green hydrogen. The environmental programme also covers treating and reusing wastewater and swapping out airport vehicles for new electric versions.
Furthremore, in cooperation with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), SAVE will be looking at developing new types of air transport for intelligent and sustainable mobility. The SAVE Group is working with other airport companies on the Urban Blue mobility project to install a ‘vertiport’ at Venice airport for vertical take-off electric vehicles by 2024.
Cassa Depositi e Prestiti participated in the syndicate in order to support strategic infrastructure for Italy, which will have positive repercussions on the economy, tourism and the environment.