29 April 2020

COVID-19: Interview with the General Manager of Milan Bergamo Airport Emilio Bellingardi

"After an initial phase of great prudence, the habit of some health rules of respect will allow a gradual return to the previous trend."

Avion Tourism Magazine proposes, during the Covid-19 pandemic , a series of interviews with the CEOs and/or General Managers of Italian airports to understand how they are carrying out their work in these critical days of health emergency, to give a space and a voice to their stories and initiatives And, above all, to know what strategies will be adopted to make passenger transit at the airport safer and how the air transport sector is evolving .

MILAN BERGAMO AIRPORT

Interview with the General Manager of Milan Bergamo Airport Emilio Bellingardi

Emilio Bellingardi. Direttore Generale Aeroporto di Milano Bergamo.

Emilio Bellingardi General Manager of Milan Bergamo Airport. © Sacbo.

Can you tell us how your work has changed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and how your work at Milan Bergamo Airport has changed and been organized?

"Everything has slowed down, the feeling is that we have entered a working dimension unknown to everyone. The airport continues its cargo activity, the maintenance of Ryanair machines and assistance for humanitarian and medical flights."

What are the initiatives you have carried out in recent days and with what objectives?

"Sacbo has contributed to a local initiative aimed at creating a quarantine center for discharged patients, retooling a hotel in the area."

What safety measures have you adopted (and will adopt after the lockdown) to ensure the safety of all Sacbo and Bis employees working at the airport?

"The occupational risk was reassessed and the people on duty were provided with behavioral instructions and the required protective equipment ."

After the lockdown, without prejudice to the application of the protocols that will be provided by the competent authorities, how do you think you can be able to guarantee and strengthen health safety for passengers, in the various areas of your airport so that they can return to travel with peace of mind?

"We are contributing to numerous working groups with the aim of preparing clear and simple rules. The solution lies in setting up checks before entering the terminal, providing masks to everyone, recommending that they respect the pre-established distances. But it must be clear that it is the responsibility of the passenger to declare his or her state of health. Inside the airport, therefore, passengers will be able to move and board flights. The airlines have made it clear that they will not be able to accept load limitations that are incompatible with a balance of costs and revenues."

As a result of this pandemic, what do you think will be the substantial changes in the way we travel in Italy and around the world and how will the air transport sector evolve?

"After an initial phase of great prudence, the habit of some health rules of respect will allow a gradual return to the previous trend."

What message would you like to send to all passengers who, after the lockdown, will resume flying by choosing Milan Bergamo Airport?

"That we are here, and we are preparing everything that will allow them to continue flying as before with serenity and satisfaction. We are waiting for you!"

Curated by Angela Trivigno

Avion Tourism Magazine

Visual: Sisterscom.com / Fabio Michele Capelli / Shutterstock