Fiumicino's future between long haul and intermodality. Interview with chief aviation officer Ivan Bassato
Rome Fiumicino increasingly at the center of Europe and the world with an ever-expanding long-haul network, beyond [...]
FCO
Rome Fiumicino increasingly at the center of Europe and the world with an ever-expanding long-range network, beyond the current marriage Ita Airways-Lufthansa.
In this article:
Because Leonardo da Vinci, also thanks to train+air intermodality and personalized customer services, wants to continue to play a pioneering and leading role in air transport. Innovation, sustainability, vertiport: the present and future of Fiumicino as told by Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer of Rome Airports.
What are the expectations for a record-breaking summer?
"We see a summer with a very strong market and a great desire to come to Italy from many regions of the world. Europe and the Americas have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, Asia is coming back strongly, including China, while Eastern Europe is suffering because of the ongoing geopolitical crisis. The Middle East, on the other hand, is doing very strongly. We register a strong ongoing trend to establish Rome as the gateway to Italy and Europe: It is an important step that rewards our investments and Fiumicino's positioning in the international market."
The long haul from the US to Australia
The long haul is increasingly strategic...
"U.S. carrier operations grew by 50% compared to 2019, this is a very important figure. For the summer there are as many as 11 departing and arriving flights to New York. While Fiumicino will have a total of 34 departures and arrivals from North America, i.e. USA, Canada and Mexico. The routes to Brazil and Argentina are doing very well."
And then you add Qantas' direct flight with Australia...
"It is the only direct connection in place at the moment with continental Europe that supports Fiumicino's international growth, which this year sees the reintroduction of 40 new routes long-haul. It will also depart earlier than last year, which was the first year of operation and saw almost full occupancy of available seats."
Is there any chance that the seasonal route will be converted to annual soon?
"We hope so, but it is a path that needs time and the market needs to consolidate. We first need to widen the window and intercept demand. If the prerequisites are there, we can think about increasing frequencies and lengthening the seasonality, as is happening with North America."
The market, routes and the role of Fco Connect.
It is a path that requires definite stages and goals...
"Of course, and not only with Qantas. We are doing this with all airlines where we verify a solid market and growing demand. You cannot go from a four- to 14-month service overnight. It is an evolution that needs a product that develops and establishes itself in the market with the support of the whole tourism supply chain. If the prerequisites are there, it will slowly get there. With routes as long as those with Australia, however, it cannot happen in six months: it takes 4-5 years. You go first from a 4-month to 6-month operation, then to 10 months, finally to daily for the summer peak and then maybe to annual. maybe to 12."
Ivan Bassato, chief aviation officer at Aeroporti di Roma, and Georgia Blackburn, regional generral manager Uk, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Qantas
Will Fco Connect's train+air service help these extensions?
"It can certainly be an added value. Fco Connect makes it very easy for us to switch from train to airplane. It is an example of a service that helps develop air routes. Why it is now possible to leave at 5:45 a.m. from Naples station, for example, and be at 2:30 p.m. in Manhattan. So far we have invested in connections to North America and Europe. I do not exclude, however, that soon the service may be extended to routes to Asia or Australia with connections by train departing from Naples, Florence and Bologna."
It is the first real step toward the much-rumored intermodality...
"There has been talk for so many years about intermodality, but now we are doing it: the trains are there, the dedicated check in counters are there too, we can handle luggage. The concept is simple, but then you have to put it into practice."
From sustainability to electric air cabs
How is Rome Fiumicino's role as an Italian and international hub changing?
"Airlines are choosing Rome not only for the summer season; this is very positive news for the entire travel and transportation industry. There is a clear trend by many carriers to operate during the rest of the year as well. Many airlines that did not operate during the winter now continue their services in the winter or suspend operations for a short period, usually the after the Christmas vacations."
What are the future plans?
"We are constantly evolving to improve even more an airport that is already recognized among the best in the world for quality and efficiency, always focusing on sustainability. We have a major investment plan to completely cut down our Co2 emissions by 2030, and we are on track to hit all the targets."
For the summer peak, are you preparing specific services to handle the huge flow of passengers?
"Among many changes, when I think of the summer period, I think the QPass is a game changer. Through our website, in fact, it is possible to book the appointment for security checks in an easy, free and intuitive way. Passengers can have peace of mind knowing that on the day of their flight , staff will be waiting for them at a specific time with a tolerance of 15 minutes before or after, guaranteeing dedicated entry and route. Once the online booking is completed, one receives a QR Code and a confirmation email bearing terminal and appointment time information."
Are electric air cabs in Fiumicino's future?
"We are pioneers in Europe with respect to the service of Transportation by vertical electric aircraft, so-called Evtol. Rome Airports, the Save Group, Bologna Airport, and Aeroports de la Côte d'Azur have created the Urban V company that deals precisely with the management of vertiports. The goal is to activate connections at Fiumicino by the end of 2024, in time for the Jubilee the following year."
How will it work?
"There will be private operators using the services for an urban and regional mobility, so not inside airports and not between airports. We will start with an initial connection between Fiumicino airport and the city center, and then the corridors will be expanded and widened according to the regulations and directives that will be established."
