3. Bridging Adriatic through a new vision of the
aviation market
Forward by Patrizio Summa, Administrator Manager
of Apulian Airports
INDEX
Supporting regional airports to improve territorial
cohesion in Adriatic: the AIR.NET project
Apulian Airports
Geographic barriers and economic potential.
Opportunities for the aviation market
in the Adriatic area
Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport
Challenges ahead.
The business perspectives of the airline company
in the Balkan countries
Mistral Air
The role of MEDIA in AIR.NET
Apulian Airport
Seeding the future of transports
in the Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion
Managing Authority of IPA CBC Adriatic Programme
What’s next? Meeting the future challenges
Apulian Airport
4.
5. Patrizio Summa
Connectivity is of paramount importance to the EU growth and
jobs agenda: at a time when Europe is opening up to global
markets, it is undeniable that regional airports play a key
role driving the economic agenda, especially of those local
BRIDGING ADRIATIC
THROUGH
A NEW VISION
OF THE AVIATION MARKET
1
6. communities located in peripheral regions and suffering insufficient transport infrastructures
with the core cities and networks.
Regional airports provide services of general and common interest: an easier circulation of
people, goods and values, the enhancement of social cohesion and development.
The regional airports also boost economic the local competitiveness through the enhancement
of the local business climate and scope for further economic development. Finally, they can
stimulate incoming tourism and lead to increasing employment.
The European Commission recognizes that transport and its infrastructure is fundamental to the
European economy and society. Regions (and particularly peripheral regions) benefit from airline
networks offered from their Regional Airports. T
he development of new airline routes can enhance the regional accessibility, facilitate trade and
in particular allow for the attraction of inward investment.
Hence, the regional airports are catalysts for economic regeneration and growth for the territories
they serve.
In this framework, it is essential to attracting new airlines companies available to invest. This is not
an easy challenge, as it is unlikely to expect airlines to settle in an airport which serves a smaller
and sometimes less affluent population, which offers less connectivity and lower airline margins.
Nevertheless Regions often need a specific route or destination, because of the companies’
cooperation with a certain territory, especially when these local communities becomes more
dependent on external trade.
Aids to support the start-up of new airline connections are important, but – above all – fresh ideas
and new business models are the key. Public-Private-Partnerships between airports and airlines
became part of the regional competitiveness strategy.
AIR.NET embeds a new way to aviation business at regional level, based on the concept of the
network among four regional airports across the Adriatic, a solid partnership with Mistral Air, in
the wise use of the European Regional Development Funds and - finally - in the driving role of
the Regional level, that has accurate knowledge of its own development needs and potential and
determinate the investment priorities.
In simple words, the future of Regions is closely interlinked with that of their airports. Regions thus
have a vital interest in enhancing the airport infrastructures on their territory and attracting airlines.
AIR.NET - an unique and experimental project in Europe that finally delivered concrete results in
terms of passengers - can pave the way towards large investments for the Adriatic regional
aviation system.
2
7. Apulian Airport, lead partner
The connectivity and mobility of people and goods between
modern countries constitute the basis for economic growth,
social and cultural cohesion and facilitate in a significant way
the enhancement of historical and new cooperative relationships
between different countries or regions belonging to the Adriatic
space.
Nevertheless, one of the major problems affecting the
establishment of an unique space of development in the
Adriatic area is represented by the still poor transport infrastructure
between the two Adriatic coasts.
SUPPORTING REGIONAL
AIRPORTS TO IMPROVE
TERRITORIAL COHESION
IN ADRIATIC:
THE AIR.NET PROJECT
3
8. Despite a continuous growing of businesses between the Eastern and Western regions,
namely the Italian coasts and the Eastern Adriatic Countries, the lack of quick connections
systems represents a great obstacle for the time-to-market business, especially for those
territories which are far from the coastlines or those located in peripheral or marginal areas.
Economic exchanges and tourism could steeply increase with the support of proper and
fast connections: the air transport, by giving the possibility of rapid and direct connections,
is seen as one of the main driver of economic growth and territorial cohesion. Additionally,
the presence of several regional airport infrastructures widely spread along the two coasts,
which are often underutilized, could contribute to generate new economic development
opportunities if empowered with air-companies ready to invests in new flight connections.
As stressed by the EU Guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines
departing from regional airports (COM 2005/C 312/01), the establishment of direct air
connections along the east-west direction of the Adriatic can contribute at generating new
opportunities of socio-economic development in a short time and to pull down barriers for
the circulation of people and goods, in order to strengthen the economic growth, to make
the peripheral regions closer to the core areas and encourage the cooperation in the
Adriatic basin.
The European Commission’s intentions are to tackle air transport congestion in the main
European airports making it easier for the European flyers to travel and also to use the
regional airport as spoke-hubs to catch passengers in peripheral areas and transfer
them (short-distance flights) to the main hubs (to board long-distance flights).
AIR.NET project, implemented between July 2011 and November 2013, established
a permanent network among Adriatic regional airports for the development of new
services of air transport oriented both to support economic relations and tourism
improvement. The network - coordinated by the Apulian Airports (IT) with the cooperation of
the Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (IT), the Airport of Nis (SRB) and the Airport of Mostar (BiH)
- launched 3 brand new point-to-point flight connections between North-South Adriatic
and inland/peripheral territories in the Balkans and the Italian coasts. In cooperation
with Mistral Air, the air-company chosen through an European tender, 3 new routes
were triggered during the Summer season 2012 and 2013 are: Bari – Mostar, Trieste –
Nis and Trieste – Mostar.
4
9. Despite the times of crises that affect also the aviation market, the purpose of supporting the
growth of regional airports by supporting the start-up of new routes, a real bet and a unique
and lonely case in all Europe, did win: AIR.NET flights carried nearly 16.000 passengers with 210
flights operated in two years.
Furthermore, the project paid a particular attention to those areas which have relevant economic
potentials but are in development delay due to the existence of communication barriers like - for
example - insufficient transport infrastructures: Molise Region and the Municipality of l’Aquila
took part in the project by developing a business plan to improve the land-connections to the
closest airports.
5
AIR.NET has been financed by the European
Union through the IPA Adriatic Cross-border
Cooperation Programme, which is the result
of joint programming work carried out by the
relevant participating countries (Italy, Greece,
Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and
Serbia) and can be considered as one of
the major engines to boost the cooperation
process in the Adriatic area.
10. Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport
In the frame of AIR.NET project, the Aeroporto Friuli Venezia
Giulia SpA (Trieste Airport) was responsible for the development
of a Preliminary Framework Analysis, which envisaged a series of
detailed analyses for the preliminary evaluation of the feasibility
of new air services across the Adriatic linking the project partner
airports.
The Preliminary Framework Analysis included:
• a territorial analysis;
• a market analysis;
• a legal analysis;
• a final SWOT analysis evaluating the outputs the
previous analyses as a whole.
As far as the Territorial Analysis was concerned, all project partners
were involved in setting up the abovementioned activities, in the
identification of their own catchment areas, in the data collection
phase (the most complex phase) and in the following supply of the
required databases.
The approach used to identify the project study area was based
on assuming the airport catchment areas as the reference
territories for this project.
A “catchment area” is the area of origin of the majority of the
outgoing passengers and the destination of the majority of the
incoming passengers of each airport. Catchment areas can thus
be identified either on the basis of customer surveys on the
local origin/destination and behaviour of airport users or on
GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS
AND ECONOMIC
POTENTIAL.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
THE AVIATION MARKET
IN THE ADRIATIC AREA.
6
11. the analysis of the airport accessibility expressed in terms of distance or maximum
travel times. In this project, according to the data available and to the suggestions by each
partner airport, catchment areas were identified as a weighted combination of the two above
parameters.
On these bases, the four study areas for the territorial analysis were identified as follows:
• Trieste airport: the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and the Eastern part of the
Veneto region in Italy, Southern Carinthia in Austria, the North-western
part of Croatia and Western Slovenia;
• Apulian airports: Apulia, (part of) Molise and Basilicata regions;
• Mostar airport: the Herzegovina region, between Croatia and Montenegro;
• Niš airport: South-eastern Serbia.
The territorial analysis played a very important role to zoom the potential of the network of
regional airports, both as economic and social “interpretation key” of the involved territories
and as data collection phase for developing the business plan for the new flight connections.
Accordingly, the achieved module objectives can be summarised as follows:
• the analysis of the socio-economic and infrastructural characteristics of
the catchment areas of the involved airports, in order to get an accurate
portrait of the current and the future (short-term) scenarios;
• the evaluation of the socio-economic potential of these airports and
airport-areas;
• the determination of the input values for the ensuing activities, in
particular for the Market Analysis.
As indicated, the analysis moved to the assessment of the overall mobility (including, therefore,
all possible modes and opportunities of transport) among these four areas, in order to introduce
the following step based on the market research.
The so-called Market Analysis defined a framework supporting the development of new air
routes across the Adriatic linking the partner airports.
For this purpose, the module objectives were identified as being:
• the definition of the current configuration of the transport supply (all the
available public and private services and their generalised cost)
connecting the partners’ airports areas;
• the estimation of the current transport demand (expressed in number
of trips per year) between each partner airport area pair;
• the estimation of the modal distribution of the trips;
7
12. • the estimation of the reason for travelling;
• the forecast of potential air traffic on the new proposed AIR.NET services
also evaluating its elasticity to the trip cost.
The Legal Analysis defined, on the other hand, the legal framework for the development of the
envisaged new air services, setting up the basis for identifying
• which – according to International Legislation and Bi-lateral Agreements
– among the proposed air routes, were actually feasible;
• the type and nationality of the air carriers which could operate these
routes.
In addition to that, it helped evaluating the eligibility of the planned flights to EU funds for the
start-up of new air services between a EU member State (Italy) and two non-EU Countries as
Bosnia –Herzegovina and Serbia.
The results of the preliminary analysis were then fed into a SWOT Analysis module, used as a tool
for getting a snapshot of the pros and cons per each area pair relation, regarding to the possible
implementation of new air services in the Adriatic area. Each analysis focused on highlighting,
according to the classic SWOT format, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for each
8
13. possible route as well as for the overall project network itself. Accordingly, seven different SWOT
analyses were set up and carried out:
• TRIESTE airport – BARI/BRINDISI airports;
• TRIESTE airport – NIŠ airport;
• TRIESTE airport – MOSTAR airport;
• BARI/BRINDISI airports – MOSTAR airport;
• BARI/BRINDISI airports – NIŠ airport;
• NIŠ airport – MOSTAR airport;
• Overall AirNet NETWORK Project SWOT.
9
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
There is market potential for direct
air services
For most of the routes, there is limited
competition, due to the niche-markets
involved
Distance between partner airports is
compatible with regional air services
(250 to 720 km)
Low-performing and unattractive
alternative transport systems
Fare-sensitive users (elastic demand)
require a low-fare operation
Demand is consolidated only for some
relations
Seasonal demand
International air services not referring to
capitals
Competing airports for all areas except
for Apulia
Currently, the Niš-Mostar route cannot be
operated (Bi-lateral agreement limitation)
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
5 out of 6 routes are eligible for
State-aid support and are not subject
to bilateral agreements
Development of economic and tourist
relations between the involved areas
Support of VFR relations
Both Serbia and BiH are candidates to
join the EUs
Development of viable alternative
transport modes (improved roads, HSTs,
etc.) is a long way ahead
New low-fare air service just opned
by Ryanair on the strongest project
O&D (Trieste-Bari)
Development of new public transport
services or improvement of existing
ones
Development of viable alternative
transport modes (improved roads,
HSTs, etc.) in the long term
Overall economic downturn and
uncertainty
14. The main issues raised by the overall SWOT analysis were the following:
• if the routes would be operated by a European Union carrier, five of them
(all but Niš-Mostar) were eligible for State aid and were not subject to
specific bilateral agreements;
• for the majority of these routes (Italy to BiH and to Serbia) competition
was limited, especially because they belonged to niche markets;
• the distance between partner airports was compatible with regional
air services given that it varies between 250km (mainly sea, between Bari
and Mostar) and 720km (Trieste-Niš);
• demand was prevalently seasonal (Summer prevailed over Winter
demand);
• users were very sensitive to fare prices (elastic demand) and requested
low-fare services.
10
15. Mistral Air
Balkan Express
For most aircraft operators 2013 was a year of considerable
uncertainty, at best a year where demand for services will
remain stable, at worst a year of further declines.
The financial crisis is hitting many travel markets hard and the
uncertainty around the aviation market perspectives is relatively
high but illustrates well the uncertainty around the economic
situation in Europe.
But it would perhaps be wrong to suggest that Europe’s aviation
sector is in a state of crisis. According to Athar Husain Khan, Acting
Secretary General of the Association of European Airlines: “Contrary
CHALLENGES AHEAD.
THE BUSINESS
PERSPECTIVES
OF THE AIRLINE
COMPANY IN THE
BALKAN COUNTRIES
11
16. to popular myth, the European network airlines are not in terminal decline, in fact they are
carrying more passengers than ever before. And with record load factors, they are filling their
aircraft more efficiently than ever. Clearly, they are providing a product which the public wants
to buy.”
However, this is a time of change for business aviation in Europe and the airlines are
very cautious about how best positioning themselves for the future. There is a need of
new business models – able to exploit the opportunities offered by European Union for
example - and very flexible commercial policies that can react quickly to change, by
adjusting their business plans when some concrete opportunities show up.
This is the case of AIR.NET, a pioneering European project addressed at improving the
territorial cohesion between peripheral areas in the Adriatic basin through the role of
some regional airports and a good-will airline company available to bet on the potential of
this market. A real challenge for an airline like Mistral Air, even with the financial support
of the European Union, since the legal, social, geographical and market conditions
in these Countries are different from the traditional tourism destinations.
During the periods August to November 2012 and March to October 2013 the designated airline
for the AIR.NET project, Mistral Air operated a regular operation between Bari and Mostar. The
Airline carried nearly 16.000 passengers on 210 flights with an average load factor of 50%.
Additionally, other 60 flights were operated between Trieste - Mostar and Trieste – Nis, with
fluctuating results.
An outstanding role in the implementation of the project was played by Balkan Express, the tour
operator entrusted to promote the new flight destinations and sell the tickets.
The challenge ahead is to continue to operate this programme in 2014 and beyond without
the AIR.NET and European Union contributions. In order to operate a viable operation we
would require to increase the load factor and revenues on this route by 20%.
12
17. Mostar - Bosnia
The airline operates to Mostar from various other Italian airports and carries approximately
80% of the traffic operated from Italy to Mostar. The potential of this destination is mainly
linked to the ever growing pilgrimage traffic to Medjugorje, however in 2013 there was also
an increase in number of requests from the Bosnian leisure and business market for the
Apulian airport of Bari.
Signs show that the demand for direct flights is on the increase especially from/to Central
and Southern Italy. It is estimated that Medjugorje attracts over 500.000 visitors per year
whilst the airport of Mostar which is thirty minutes away from Medjugorje has an annual
traffic figure of around 60.000 passengers. Mistral Air sees the opportunity to operate other
routes from airports located on the Adriatic Coast. These include, Lamezia, Pescara, Ancona,
Reggio, Napoli and Catania.
The project to operate regular flights from a number of these airports to Mostar
depends on initial start-up funds available to kick-start the chosen operations. At
this regard, the forthcoming Adriatic-Ionian macroregional strategy and the possible
inclusion of supporting schemes for the development of the regional airports could
represent a strong contribution to continue the operations, especially over those
routes that require more time to “create” the market (and generate initial losses for
the investing airlines).
Corfu & Zante – Greece
Over the last few years Mistral Air has operated peak operations to these islands mainly carrying
tour operator traffic. In 2013 Mistral Air operated a short season regular flight between Bari and
the above mentioned islands.
The result was encouraging and for 2014 Mistral Air will consider lengthening the programme.
Once again marketing contributions towards the investment of these routes would render the
operation more secure and long-term.
Montenegro / Bulgaria / Serbia
Mistral Air is searching for incoming markets from the Balkan region to develop regular routes
to Italian airports on the Adriatic. Routes being considered by Mistral Air are: Bari – Tivat;
Napoli – Tivat; Bari – Sofia; Catania – Sofia; Napoli – Sofia; Bari – Belgrade; Catania –
Belgrade. Emphasis will be made on routes creating a mini network using the Mistral Air
bases in Southern Italy of Bari, Napoli and Catania.
13
18. Apulian Airport
Journalists are privileged observers whose presence is
necessary to support the process of adhesion to the EU
and the building of a real European citizenship.
However, the role they played by the journalists within AIR.NET
went even beyond, since the strong involvement of the MEDIA
contributed (and it is still contributing) to create new markets
and new passengers.
Among the actions tackled by Apulian Airport, the organization of
two press trips in Niš and Mostar played a paramount importance
in the project communication package. The aim of the press trips
was to communicate to a wide public the purposes of AIR.NET
as well as to improve the knowledge of the involved cities, thus
promoting incoming. The tours were organized in the wake of this
double objective.
The first countryvisited was Niš, Serbia, in occasion of the 3rd project
Executive Board. There, Italian journalists had the opportunity to
meet all the key-actors, getting a clear idea of the AIR.NET general
objectives and the specific action aimed at, discovering at the same
time the business and cooperation opportunities given by Serbia.
After the initial presentation of the Niš Airport “Constantine
the Great” as strategic player for the growth of South Serbia,
the Italian journalists met the Chamber of Commerce of Niš,
THE ROLE
OF MEDIA IN AIR.NET
14
19. the Tourism Organization, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Local Economic Development
Office, the Representatives of some important firm, the Regional Development Agency and the
local University, one of the most important of Serbia.
In Bosnia Herzegovina, AIR.NET was presented by bilateral meetings specifically
organized by the Mostar Airport. The richness of Herzegovina tourist offer, known
above all because of the presence of Medjugorje - location whose fame is linked to
the supposed Virgin appearances - was heavily promoted by the Italian MEDIA. The
press trip acquires a specific value also when looking at the recent history of the Countries
involved: actually they are still seen as a peninsula destroyed by a war which marked the
90s, but the outstanding cultural heritage, the economic potential, the academic educational
offer and the sparkling nightlife make these cities a new ad cool destination to discover. As
a matter of fact, Niš and Mostar are ready to catch the opportunities offered by tourism and
by the market internationalization towards the Balkans.
The Italian media involved in the twofold initiative “Journalists for AIR.NET” had the chance to
tell about these lands. Through a strong collaboration with the most important realities involved
in the project, it was possible to discover the most significant location of South Eastern Serbia
and Southern Bosnia Herzegovina. The reportages broadcasted on the Italian TV, including the
very famous format “EstOvest” and published on the main newspapers have generated visible
and immediate effects, with a peak in the flights reservation recorded in the following weeks.
In the light of AIR.NET main objective, that is to create a stable network of flight connections
between Adriatic regions and Balkan countries, the important role played by the MEDIA is
clear. Actually, doing “incoming” means not only to promote the tourist offer, but also
to stimulate, facilitate, intensify and improve the connections with new destinations.
MEDIA can bring attention, generate market demand and influence the airports and
airlines’ offer.
Creating stable flight connections represents a great opportunity for Italy itself.
As emerged during the meetings organized in Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina with the local
stakeholders, these Countries, other than the role linked to the tourist flow, also aim at the
15
20. development of economic relationships appealing to one of the most convincing attraction
tools in this peculiar context: the advantageous fiscal conditions reserved to foreign investors.
During the numerous discussions with the local institutions, great emphasis was put on the
minimal taxation, the incentives and easements contemplated in the first commercial-years
that make Serbia and Bosnia an interesting marketplace to carry on new important
investments, as shown, for example, by the historical Italian firm Benetton, which
chose the native land of Constantin the Great to pursue the business.
Italian journalists were shown a possible recipe
to favour the economic development of both
Adriatic sides: a recipe whose main ingredient
is represented – among the others - by the
availability, the certainty and stability of
comfortable flight connections.
16
22. Managing Authority of the IPA Adriatic Programme
Poor accessibility and insufficient connections between the regions of the Adriatic area,
which are close to each other in terms of nautical miles, but still distant in terms of insufficient
physical connections, have been recognized as major problems and challenges the IPA
Adriatic Programme has been tackling in order to improve economic competitiveness,
social and regional cohesion and cultural development of the area.
One of the strategic choices the IPA Adriatic Programme is based on is clearly expressed
through the definition of Priority 3 – Accessibility and networks which aims at strengthening
and integrating existing infrastructure networks, promoting and developing transport,
information and communication services.
A total of 25 project have been financed by the Programme under Priority 3, through the two
ordinary calls for proposals and a strategic call for proposals.
As the first projects draw to their close, the results of their actions are becoming more and
more visible and impressive. Different partnerships closely cooperated on the realization
of defined goals over the past years and they now boast important achievements in
infrastructure, transport and communication sector.
While some projects concentrated on increasing air traffic in Adriatic area, improving accessibility
of involved regions and upgrading small airports, the primary function of which is to provide the
needed infrastructure for the purposes of protection and rescue and to satisfy the needs of sport
aviation, other projects aimed at creating the best conditions for the set-up of stable connections
through a common seaplane system, reinforcing ports’ services and facilities through the offer of
an alternative way of transport, in order to make ports more competitive and to strengthen the
commercial and business relations in the project area.
Considerable efforts have also been made to improve the effectiveness of the procedures for
the clearance of freight flows in ports areas, through the design, development and testing of a
support instrument for ship arrival and departure, customs clearance and cargo logistic.
When it comes to sustainable mobility, some remarkable initiatives, campaigns and joint
solutions have been undertaken and provided by the Adriatic coastal areas which face
similar issues, such as traffic congestion, air pollution and substantial increase of population
particularly during peak tourist seasons.
Pilot actions, such as the reconstruction of existing pathways into well-equipped bicycle and
pedestrian paths, certainly improved traffic safety, environmental protection and quality of
life in the Adriatic area.
Also, effective strategies on sustainable transport systems along and between the Adriatic coasts
and their inlands have been designed to favor the sustainable movement of increasing number
of people travelling for different reasons: work, tourism, business, etc.
Other aspects of the transport system have been examined by projects financed by the
IPA Adriatic Programme, most important of which is the use and impact of Information and
communication technology (ICT) on transport. Web-GIS platforms, that will bridge tourism/
cultural/natural resources and transport systems of the participating regions and improve
accessibility to information and services are being realized.
Also, the implementation of an ICT platform where public transport and journey planning data will
be merged and made available in the languages of the IPA Countries will provide the possibility
of having in a single portal all information to plan door-to-door journey within the area by using a
18
23. combination of public/private transport.
The AIR.NET project, aimed at addressing those areas which have relevant economic potentials
but are lagging behind in economic development due to communication barriers, insufficient
physical connections and poor transport infrastructure, represents an excellent example of how
it is possible to contribute to the cultural exchange, the effective territorial cohesion and
strengthening of regional economies.
Despite initial difficulties and thanks to the perseverance of the Lead beneficiary, the
partnership succeeded in realizing the core activity of the project, i.e. establishing a
direct air connection between regional airports of the three countries involved in the
project, Italy, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Initially set outputs and results have been transcended, and 270 flights were operated and 17.000
passengers carried between Apulia, Trieste, Mostar and Nis since July 2012 until October 2013.
This has already had a positive impact on the economic situation of the involved territories, and
it will, most certainly, generate new possibilities not only for business and investments, but also
for tourism sector, and particularly religious tourism. In fact, the most successful route has been
Bari –Mostar.
The most prominent concept of our Programme is that the Adriatic Sea is not a barrier, but
a unifying force instead, capable of uniting the countries on the two shores in cooperative
relationships which represents one of the most effective tools for economic, cultural and
social development.
As the first result of financed projects have demonstrated, a lot has been achieved in tacking
the most problematic issues of the Adriatic area, which were identified by the SWOT analysis
19
24. on which priorities and actions of the IPA Adriatic Programme are based, but there is still a lot to
do in order to bring even closer the two shores of the Adriatic sea and to reinforce the unifying
values that have characterized them for centuries.
Investing in and developing different sectors, particularly the transport sector, represent the
means of achieving this unity. Therefore, co-funding future actions of this type and capitalizing
on success stories, such as AIR.NET project, of the past years can prove to be beneficial to the
peoples of the Adriatic - Ionian Region.
Finally, it is important to stress that all projects financed under Priority 3 are totally in coherence
with the new macroregional Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region, which will build on four
thematic pillar and, in particularly, pillar 2 Connecting the region (transport and energy).
Thus, all of these projects can be considered as examples of good practices and the base for
the implementation of new initiatives. The learnt lessons from current cooperation experience
could also promote the capitalization projects capable of improving the long-term impact on the
Programme area.
20
25. 21
WHAT’S NEXT?
MEETING
THE FUTURE
CHALLENGES
Apulian Airport
Aviation is strategically important sector that makes a vital
contribution to the EU’s overall economy and employment,
with 5.1 million jobs and contributes €365 billion, or 2.4% to
European GDP.
Despite the current economic crisis, global air transport over
the long term is expected to grow by around 5% annually until
2030.
In order to fully exploit the economic potential of the sector, the
European Commission constantly works on several important
aspects for our skies, from safety – through the Single European
Sky initiative due to the heavy airspace congestion – to the single
market, which has been gradually liberalized.
At this regard, today decades of restrictions that had limited
air transport markets in Europe and prevented cross-border
investment by European airlines have been removed.
The EU Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area to 2050
- designed to remove major barriers and bottlenecks in key areas
across the fields of transport infrastructure and investment,
innovation, and the EU’s internal market – puts emphasis on
26. the aviation sector. In specific, it is pointed out that the airport capacity – especially those located
along the main EU Corridors - needs to be optimized and, where necessary, increased to face
growing demand for travel to and from third countries and areas of Europe otherwise poorly
connected, which could result in a more than doubling of EU air transport activities by 2050.
Additionally, for the intermediate distances, the European Commission recommends
better modal choices resulting from a greater integration of the modal networks:
airports, ports, railway, metro and bus stations should increasingly be linked and
transformed into multimodal connection platforms for passengers and goods.
The issue of the regional airport gains importance at macroregional level. In particular,
the objective of the new EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region – one of the four
macroregional strategies currently existing in Europe and covering eight countries: Croatia,
Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia – aims
at promoting economic and social prosperity and growth in the region by improving its
attractiveness, competitiveness and connectivity, with an important role in EU integration of
Western Balkans.
No doubts that the forthcoming Adriatic-Ionian macroregion should put at the center of its
transport policies both the regional airports (serving key-cities) and air-companies (that are
ready to invest in this geographical market) to launch new point-to-point flight connections
between North-South Adriatic and inland/peripheral territories in the Balkan areas and the
Italian coasts. The business model of AIR.NET project could be exploited and scaled up to
create a large network of regional airports covering the entire Adriatic-Ionian region, with
hundreds of thousands of potential passengers. Some core-connections could assure the
economic-sustainability of the project, whilst other some pioneering flight with peripheral
areas, with economic and/or touristic potential to boost, could be started-up.
The presence of several regional airport infrastructures widely spread along the
two Adriatic coasts, which are often underutilized, could contribute to generate new
economic development opportunities if empowered with air-companies ready to
invests in new flight connections.
THE ADRIATIC COMMUNITY, SIXTY MILLION PEOPLE OF
POTENTIAL TRAVELERS, IS READY TO BOARD!
22
27. 23
WHO ARE THE AIR.NET
PARTNERS
Apulian Airports, lead partner
Apulian Airports S.p.A. manages the airports in the Puglia region,
namely at Bari, Brindisi, Foggia and Taranto, under a full forty-year
licence. As a hub for the economic development of the entire
region, Puglia’s airports contribute, in their own different ways, to
the social development and economic growth of south-eastern
Italy.
“Karol Wojtila” international airport, Bari, is one of the most
efficient, comfortable and technologically advanced airports
in the country.
With a sophisticated Building Automation system, over forty
different kinds of system - whether electrical, mechanical or
hydraulic - can be monitored and managed, while a blanket
CCTV security system, complete with modern control room,
allows all the activities in the airport to be kept under surveillance.
The runway extension was completed in 010, and 011 marks the
start of work on the terminal enlargement, while the project to link
the airport to the national rail network is also well under way. When
complete, all these facilities will enable the airport to respond even
better to the rate of increase in passenger traffic, which last year was
among the highest in Europe.
28. Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport
The Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, located in Trieste, thanks to its
favourable geographical position at the Northeastern end of Italy,
is a real “no-borders” airport, in an area that has always been a
crossroads of different peoples and cultures.
The airport is strategically located as gateway to a multi-national
region, with a catchment area stretching well beyond the borders
of Friuli Venezia Giulia – and its 1.2 Million inhabitants – into Eastern
Veneto, Western Slovenia, Northwest Croatia and Southern Austria
(Carinthia). All the main cities of the area lie within short reach, as the
good links to the road and motorway network – the nearest exit is
just about 2 kilometres away – make the airport easily and quickly
accessible.
Trieste International Airport has a single 3.000-metre-long runway
and is characterised by state-of-the-art infrastructures, planned to
handle any type of passenger and cargo aircraft and up to 2 million
passengers per annum.
The current passenger terminal was completed in 1998: since
then it has provided customers with modern and user-friendly
facilities and services that have been continuously improved for
a hussle-free and comfortable journey.
The airport is currently used by almost 900.000 passengers per
year, while its network (Summer 2012) reaches 26 destinations
served by more than 130 one-way frequencies per week, with
a mix of scheduled full-fare hub-feeding services, scheduled
low-fare flights and Summer charter services to/from leisure
destinations.
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29. 25
Mostar Airport
Mostar Airport was opened for civilian air traffic in 1965,
exclusively for domestic flights.
In 1984, during the Winter Olympic Games it was the alternative
airport for Sarajevo International Airport, thus acquiring the
status of International airport.
Today, Mostar Airport is the pride of Herzegovina and beyond, and
every day we witness its unstoppable growth. The pilgrimage site
of Medjugorje is world knows as a center of religious tourism and
each year it attracts millions of pilgrims.
Besides this the whole region of Herzegovina offers plenty of
tourist attractions, Mostar with its Old Bridge as UNESCO world
heritage site, Nature Park Hutovo blato, Blagaj all unify the story
of Herzegovina as a desirable tourist destination.
Mostar Airport today represents the bridge between the European
and world destinations to the Herzegovina region. The Airport sets
new records on daily basis and we are on the verge of reaching the
passenger number of 100.000.
30. Niš Airport ‘Constantin the Great’
Niš Airport ,,Constantin the Great’’ is open for scheduled civil air
traffic in October 1986. In 1999 Airport faced traffic suspension,
due to the damages caused by NATO operations.
After the reconstruction it was reopened in October 2003. Niš
Airport is located in the vicinity of the city of Niš (4km).
The Airport location is also very near to the two arterial roads on
the Corridor 10 (the road and the railway) leading toward the east
(Bulgaria, Turkey) and the south of Europe (Greece).
The catchment area of Niš Airport consists of almost 2 million
citizens, and covers area of South and South- east Serbia, which
represents around 40% of complete Republic of Serbia territory.
At this moment Niš Airport „Constantin the Great“ is the second
civil international airport in Serbia, beside Airport Belgrade, licensed
for operating schedule and charter international flights.
Airport also serves as an alternative airport for surrounding airports:
Belgrade, Sofia, Skopje.
During the years, any airlines used the airport, both for
regular and alternative traffic, some of them are: JAT
Airways, Aviogenex, Montenegro Airlines, Olimpic Airways,
Thomsonfly, Atlasjet Airlines, Windjet, Belavia, Austrian
Airways. Nowadays, Niš Airport operates regular everyday flights
to Podgorica with Montenegro Airlines, and also has arranged
launching of new direct flights to Zurich and Geneva (starting
from 8th December 2012).
The airport itself represents an important infrastructural resource,
important for a development of the entire South and Southeast
Serbia and its connection to Europe and the world.
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31. 27
Molise Region
Molise Region is one of the twenty Italian regional authority. The
Region, located in Southern- Centre Italy, covers 4,438 km2 and
has a population of about 320.000.
Molise is an area traditionally rural, mainly mountainous, with an
access to the Adriatic coastline, characterized by low density of
population (72.3 inhabitants per km2). The region is subdivided
into two provinces: Campobasso and Isernia.
Though there is a large Fiat plant and an important textile district,
the industrial sector is dominated by small and medium-sized
enterprise. Important industry is food processing: pasta, meat,
milk products, oil and wine are the traditional products of the
region.
It is attested as one of the first Italian regions producing wind
energy.
Molise is considered as one of the most developed regions in South
Italy and has one of the highest GDP per capita in South Italy.
Molise region participated in the AIR.NET project to develop
a land mobility plan to improve the connection between the
different regional catchment areas of Molise to the surrounding
airports.
32. Municipality of L’Aquila
The Municipality of l’Aquila participated in AIR.NET project to
develop a business plan to exploit the potential of the local
airport.
The Preturo Airport at L’Aquila, built in 1968, is located at 12
km from the city centre and currently operates non – regular
flights. Only rescue, State, emergency and flight coordinated
by Civil Defence are allowed.
The runway is north-south oriented and the infrastructures
(airport, parking, hangars, apron, ...) are developed in the
central position of the airport; to the east of the runway.
The site shows an almost flat orography.
The main hall, with departures and arrivals area, can manage all the
airport activities closely associated with passengers and luggage
processing, loading, unloading.
The car park, about 1000 m2 opposite the terminal, is able to
accommodate both parked cars for passengers and staff on
duty, for a total of about 200 seats.
In the aftermath of the earthquake of 6th April 2009 it was possible
to fully understand the scope and potential of the airport. Its role
became crucial during the early phases of the disaster relief, with
the presence of the Police, Fire, Finance, the State Forestry Corps,
and the Health Service, Army and Air Force.
The infrastructure has allowed the airport to face the immediate
difficulty of the earthquake and the management of the G8 meeting.
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33. Apulian Airport, Lead Partner
Patrizio Summa, Mario Pertile,
Michele Fortunato, Nicola Armenise
CREDITS
Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport
Andrea Sarto, Pierfabrizio di Marco
Mistral Air
Mark Camilleri
Spazio Eventi
Roberta Campanella
Managing Authority of IPA CBC Adriatic Programme
Paola di Salvatore
Euris, project coordination unit
Marco Meggiolaro
34. The IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme is
the result of joint programming work carried out by the
relevant participating countries (Italy, Greece, Slovenia,
Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Serbia) and is part of the
cooperation process in the Adriatic area.
The overall objective of the IPA CBC Adriatic Programme is
to tackle territorial challenges beyond national boundaries
and improve the effectiveness of regional policies through the
development of projects in the fields of energy, environmental risk
management, entrepreneurship, transports and promotion of the
cultural heritage.
