“I remain positive...”
...said Massimo Roccasecca. Happily he hadn’t tested positive for Covid-19, but was confirming his optimism. The head of cargo of the northeastern Italian airport system run by the Save group talks about his firm’s situation in the ITJ. He focused on Brescia airport, which specialises in cargo and whose throughput grew by 29% last year, telling us about the differences compared to spring and the prospects for the industry at large.
When we last ‘felt your pulse’, Mr Roccasecca (see page 7 of our Italy Special in ITJ 17-18 / 2020), northern Italy was hit particularly hard by the outbreak of Covid-19. How has the situation evolved since then?
The second wave has already started, unfortunately, and a new season of possible lockdowns has already started. The fact that initially there have been different regional levels of lockdowns may work, and is a good attempt to perhaps protect local economies.
My personal feeling is that after the lockdowns from March to May we spent a summer we couldn’t afford in Italy or in Europe. People were tired of lockdowns and there was a sort of ‘free for all’ – but the virus hadn’t been defeated yet. We’re about to pay the price now, with new measures that will affect economies even more – not to mention the high price in terms of lives. I remain positive and confident that we’ll make it through, however.
How would you compare your local situation to overall developments in the rest of Italy, and Europe?
I see no specific differences. I believe it’s now clear that a selective, rigorous approach is the key. I can’t blame anyone or anything in particular. Dealing with a pandemic of such proportions is difficult, and some mistake were made everywhere – including in Italy. The action taken was considered adequate.
One thing is certain though – research and health systems have to be considered vital. Personally, I’d appreciate less polemic and a more cooperative and supportive approach amongst politicians and stakeholders in times like these.
What are the differences you’ve observed in the industry compared to spring?
From a business point of view, I’d say that the use of technology has been more welcomed, which is encouraging for me.
What else gives you hope?
News that a vaccine may soon be available is a great stimulus to hang in there. However, as I said above, I recommend a new ‘system’ of living our lives – and our businesses too, to a certain degree.
Has the industry learnt its lesson?
If the question is related to the new ‘sentiment’ of being more ‘technologically sound’, and the perception of cargo as a pivotal industry, then the answer is yes. If it relates to the strategic role in the overall economy, then it’s probably yes too, though we need to confirm this in the long term. If, instead, we’re talking about commercial drivers the industry still uses, then I’m afraid the answer is no. I said it before and I want to say it again – speculation isn’t doing our industry a service in any way at all.
How well is Brescia positioned?
I can tell you that we’re about to make important infrastructure investments – but I can’t give you any details yet... The objective is to maintain and accommodate the impressive performance of our cargo clients and partners. For the last two to three months, Brescia airport has been the third-ranked cargo hub in the country, after all, in terms of tonnage. We were the only gateway with growth throughout all of 2020’s ten months. In difficult times such as these I believe this success is one of a kind.
