Can you please provide a comprehensive overview of the operations of Aeroporti di Apulia, including its network of airports and their activities?

Aeroporti di Apulia is a network of four airports in Italy, all owned by the same company. The group recently expanded to include Pisa and Florence, forming a second network in Tuscany. The two busiest airports in the group are Bari and Brindisi, which primarily cater to commercial aviation. The network has seen over 6 million passengers pass through its airports, with Foggia currently undergoing expansion. Grottaglie is a significant airport in the network, as it has become a critical location for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developments. In recent years, Grottaglie was renovated, thanks to a collaboration between Finmeccanica and Boeing for the production of the 787 Dreamliner.

How do UAVs fit into your operations, and what are your goals for Grottaglie airport?

Grottaglie airport was initially established to support the industrial aerospace activities in Apulia, with Leonardo and the 787 leading the charge. The airport subsequently opened its doors to other SME suppliers to help in the production of the fuselage alongside Leonardo. When I became the sole director of the network in 2013, I decided to prioritize infrastructure development. As a result, Grottaglie is now the only airport in Italy recognized by ENAC with a dedicated area for UAV testing. UAVs represent the future of the aerospace industry, and the European Commission has also acknowledged the importance of UAV technologies. Apulian companies have the opportunity to create parts and components for UAVs and develop new technologies for payload, the capture of information and data fusion, acquisition, and interpretation.

Can we expect a significant shift towards increased usage of UAVs in the aerospace industry?

UAVs are indeed the future of the aerospace industry. The European Commission has spoken of a new era for aerospace that emphasizes the future importance of UAV technologies. This represents an opportunity for space industries that integrate aeronautical and space technologies, rather than traditional aircraft industries. UAVs will be moved following satellite signals, and Apulian companies can capitalize on this trend by creating components for the aircraft and developing new technologies for the payload.

What is your vision for the future of Aeroporti di Puglia, and how do you plan to achieve it?

Our goal is to enter the global market and attract international investors. We also aim to connect our airports to international hubs to attract more tourism. By 2030, we expect to see a 50% increase in global passenger traffic, and this is expected to double by 2050. Our ideal target is to achieve a 4-hour door-to-door trip anywhere within Europe. The crisis in North Africa and the Middle East has led to a significant increase in international tourism in the continent, with Apulia experiencing a 23% increase in international traffic in 2015. We expect that 2016 will surpass this level.

As the president of DTA and DAP, can you explain their roles within the Apulian aerospace industry?

The Technological District Consortium (DTA) was established in 2004 to provide SMEs with the support they needed to innovate, change, and undertake R&D projects. The consortium comprises of GE, Leonardo, Salver, GSE, Sitael, and Planetek and is recognized by the Ministry of Research. The primary aim of DTA is to increase the competitiveness of the Apulian aerospace industry through research. We have created ten new faculties for teaching aerospace, as well as technical schools and labs.