PALERMO (ITALPRESS) – “We are turning Palermo into a Mediterranean hub, a strategic bridge between three continents.” In an interview with Italpress Gianfranco Battisti, CEO of Gesap, the international airport management company “Falcone Borsellino” in Palermo.
How is air transport changing in the global context?
“Air transport is now one of the pillars of the new world economic geography. It is no longer just routes or infrastructure but an airport system that has become a strategic hub that interweaves politics, economics and security. The air routes today follow geopolitical and industrial logic, reflect the balance between economic blocks and the new global value chains. In this context, airports are no longer simple places of transit, but national platforms of competitiveness and territorial cohesion. Palermo is part of this transformation with a natural vocation to connect Europe, North Africa and the Middle East”.
What are the risks and challenges that geopolitics introduces for infrastructure such as Palermo airport?
“We live an era of systemic uncertainty, regional conflicts, commercial tensions, technological vulnerabilities and energy challenges redefine global flows. This is why resilient, flexible and solid governance airports are needed. International investors seek stability, security and credible ESG projects. Palermo can offer all this strong of a strategic position in the heart of the Mediterranean, and a new long-term industrial vision.”.
2025 was a year of confirmation for Palermo. How do you interpret your results?
“The numbers speak clear: 9.2 million passengers, a load factor of 87.4%, an EBITDA of 31 million, an increase of +33% compared to the plan. But what really matters is not only performance, it is the direction of change that we are starting, we are turning Palermo into a Mediterranean hub, a strategic bridge between three continents. The growth of international traffic today is 34% of the total testifies to our global projection.”.
What are the strategic guidelines that will guide growth in the coming years?
“We defined a first roadmap 2025-2035 articulated in three stages. Consolidation (2025-2027): infrastructure strengthening, operational efficiency, financial sustainability; Expansion (2028-2031): opening of new intercontinental routes, development of cargo and non-aviation services; Leadership (2032-2035): positioning of Palermo as an integrated Mediterranean platform for transport, energy and innovation. We have already started an investment plan from 68 million euros, with clear objectives exceed 13 million passengers, become 100% energy autonomous and bring non-vehicle revenues over 30%”.
Sustainability and digitization are the cornerstones of your plan. What are you doing in concrete?
“We are already ACA Level 3+ for carbon neutrality and we aim at carbon neutrality by 2035. We are investing in photovoltaic systems, SAF-ready infrastructure and circular economy policies “zero waste”. On the digital front, we must implement the digital twin of the airport, the virtual assistant “Fly” and the latest biometric systems. Thanks to these innovations, passenger control times will reduce significantly. Our model is clear: technology at the service of efficiency, but also of human experience.”.
How does Palermo fit in the national and European competitive environment?
“Today we are the ninth Italian airport for traffic, but we grow faster than the national average. Italy is the European country with the highest rate of passenger growth, and Palermo is among the main drivers of this expansion. With 96 destinations in 25 countries, our airport is now a regional hub of international reach, able to attract tourist flows, business and cargo. We are basically an economic and cultural connection platform between Europe and the Mediterranean.”.
What is the role of private capital in this growth path?
“A decisive role. Today we are building a model of governance, controlled and performing, in full coherence with our statutes and with the operational delegations defined by the Board of Directors. Our plan shared with Enac from 68 million euros is open to partnerships with industrial and financial investors. The goal is not only to collect resources, but to build long-term alliances with subjects capable of sharing vision and competence.”.
What about the territory? How much does the airport really affect the Sicilian economy?
“The airport of Palermo is not only an infrastructure, it is a development engine. Its estimated economic impact is 860 million euros, equal to 3.2% of provincial GDP, and generates over 12,500 direct and indirect jobs. Each euro produced by the airport generates 3.2 in the local economy. This means that our mission is not only managing flights, but creating value for Sicily, with an industrial, sustainable and social vision at the same time.”.
In summary, how do you imagine Palermo in 2035?
“I see a modern, sustainable and digital, open and competitive airport. An infrastructure that combines people, economies and cultures, and makes Sicily a European platform for the future. Palermo will not only be a point of arrival or departure, but a motor of transformation and identity”.
– Gesap press office photos –
(ITALPRESS).
