Turin tradition

Turin Airport, of which SAGAT is the management company, features a modern, efficient and comfortable network of infrastructures able to offer users a range of forefront services. Links with the main European hubs of Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Moscow, Munich, Paris and Rome make it possible to arrive at any destination world-wide via an inter – mediate stopover.

After receiving various international accolades, ACI Europe – Best Airport Awards in 2007 and 2008, Turin Airport qualified for ISO 9001/2008 certification in 2009, thus confirming SAGAT’s commitment to providing passengers and companies with efficient, top quality services.

Turin Airport is located in the heart of the North West, one of the most important Italian and European business hubs. Piedmont is home to prestigious cultural, economic and institutional groups and organisations such as: Alenia, Aurora, Avio, BasicNet, Castello di Rivoli, CEI-Invest in Torino Piemonte, Compagnia di Sanpaolo, Environment Park, Ersel, Ferrero, Fiat, Fondazione CRT, Fondazione del Libro, Intesa- Sanpaolo, International Training Center of the ILO and the University of Turin.

The city is one of the most renowned European capitals of contemporary art, home of the National Cinema Museum and of the Egyptian Museum, considered second only to that of Cairo. Part of its historical and cultural heritage, the Reggia di Venaria Reale and another 13 Royal residences of the Savoy family, the Museum of the Holy Shroud and the seven Holy Mounts are among the Unesco list of World Heritage sites.

Piedmont offers a perfect blend of nature, art and taste. The hills of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, a favourite haunt of Ernest Hemingway, preserve the nine most ancient vines of the continent and the white truffles. The region also has the highest concentration in Italy of Michelin-starred chefs. Piedmont is the alpine region par excellence thanks to the Olympic mountains, thirty of the highest peaks in Europe and the ‘White Galaxy’, a thousand kilometre system of ski slopes. In 2011, Turin will be the official capital of the celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.

An important link

Every week more than 400 flights leave Turin, provided by 19 scheduled airlines. This enables quick links to the most important cities in Italy and Europe, with convenient connecting flights for the rest of the world. The airport provides direct flights to almost 40 destinations, 25 of which are international. The network is completed by the leading air charter companies and tour operators who offer services to the most prestigious holiday resorts in Europe, the Mediterranean and the near East region. During the winter season, the ‘ski charter’ sector also registers an impressive increase in the number of passengers, thanks to the flights that are provided for Italian and foreign skiers by leading tour operators.

Characteristics

The modern airport occupies a covered area of more than 57,000 sqm, over three levels, and is characterised by a huge window, offering a view of the runway. The various floors are connected and there are no architectural barriers, facilitating the passage of people with disabilities, for whom dedicated services are also available upon request.

The spacious waiting areas, the expansion of the commercial areas and the new and improved seating facilities guarantee a high level of service. In addition to comfort, another of Caselle’s strong points is the speed at which the various operations are carried out, a result of the improvements that have been made to the airport’s facilities.

These include the baggage handling system (BHS), of around 13,800 sqm, equipped with highly sophisticated X-ray control equipment and capable of handling 3,200 pieces per hour, making the operation quicker and easier. The new terminal, located between the railway station and the car park, has resulted in less congestion in the departure lounge during the busiest periods. There are now a greater number of hand baggage checkpoints, which contribute to the streamlining of securityrelated operations.

Lastly, Turin also has a wide general aviation terminal for private air traffic. Visually, the structure is very impressive: elegant, but at the same time modern and functional.

Social responsibility

 The company’s social responsibility and ethical commitment are considered by SAGAT as hugely important factors of development in respect for the territory and the environment.

Environment

SAGAT carries out its activities completely and continuously, applying the regulations concerning the environment, seeking cooperation with the neighbouring communities and local authorities within specific programmes.

Bird control unit

 Since 1985 SAGAT has been monitoring birds on a daily basis to ensure air navigation safety. Bloodless bird control takes place through the use of electronic systems and the falconer who works at the airport all year round.

Noise

Installation of the airport noise monitoring system composed of 8 stationary control units and a mobile one (DM 20-5-1999). An acquisition of a computer system for processing the measurement correlating them with the flight radar tracks (supplied by ENAV) A study of the noise impact around the airport and software simulation (INM). Finally, the implementation of anti-noise procedures for airport activities and preparation of an action plan to restrict and reduce noise.

Turin Airport and SAGAT

The Airport at Turin is one of the most important economic entities in Piedmont and provides employment for approximately 3,000 people. SAGAT S.p.A. manages the entire airport area and is primarily responsible for: 

•  Planning, construction and maintenance of infrastructures related to air traffic (e.g. runway and apron). 
•  Planning, construction and maintenance of the infrastructures and buildings used by passengers and operators (air terminals with relative commercial areas, car parks, offices and installations).
• Management of centralised infrastructures as defined by Law by Decree 18/99 (including loading bridges, baggage handling systems, airport IT and passenger information systems).
•  The activities carried out in the airport area, which are entrusted to other economic entities (including those who run restaurants, bars, shops and car rental companies).

 The Group includes the companies SAGAT S.p.A., SAGAT Handling S.p.A., SAGAT Engineering S.r.l. , Sistema S.r.l. and Aeroporti Holding S.r.l.

In 2009, the SAGAT Group registered a production value of almost 65 million euros and a net profit of 5.4 million euros with a staff count of approximately 400 employees. Since 2001, following the above-mentioned Law by Decree 18/99, handling services (i.e. land assistance for passengers, freight and aircrafts) are no longer directly carried out by airport managing companies, due to market liberalisation.

On 1 October 1, 2001 SAGAT Handling S.p.A., a 100% SAGAT-controlled company was founded to manage ground handling services. SAGAT Engineering S.r.l. , completely owned by SAGAT, was formed on 14 March 2003. This company manages the execution of feasibility studies, research, consulting and design activities, work management, tests, yard emergency implementations, evaluations of technical and economic convenience, and also technical and administrative activities for the development of entrusting procedures and the implementation of tasks and pieces of work directly or indirectly connected to the airport activities.

In 2000, SAGAT became privatised when the group formed by Holding Edition S.p.A., IMI Investimenti S.p.A., Aeroporto “G. Marconi” di Bologna S.p.A. and Aviapartner S.p.A. acquired 41.33% of the parcel of shares, sold by the City Council of Turin, the Provincial Council of Turin, the Piedmont Regional Council and the Turin Chamber of Commerce.

By the completion of the partial privati – sation process, SAGAT opened the phase of collaboration between the old shareholders, as reference partners for the regional development and promoters of the tourist and economic activities, and the new shareholders, who are in charge of the direct management of the company.

The new shareholders, thanks to their know how in the aeronautical and other fields, are putting into effect the development plan, which has been thought out in the awareness that Turin Airport represents a strategic pole for economy, not only from a local point of view, but also regional and national.

About the Author

Born in Turin in 1956, Maurizio Montagnese left university with a degree in Political Science. His career began in 1977, when he was employed by Fiat Auto S.p.A. in the field of Organisation and Systems. In June 2007, he was appointed President of SAGAT S.p.A. – Aeroporto di Torino, and SAGAT Handling. He is currently an advisor to the companies Aeroporti Holding S.r.l. and Aeroporto di Firenze S.p.A., Turismo Torino e Provincia (the tourism promotion agency for the Province of Turin), the GTA (hotel and tourism group affiliated with the Industrial Union of Turin), Banca d’Alba and Acting Vice-President of Tecnoinvestimenti S.r.l. and advisor of Orizzonte S.g.r., companies of the Tecnoholding group.