Verona Villafranca Airport, 68 million euro project kicks off

The work of the Romeo project, the new state-of-the-art passenger terminal for the Catullo airport in Verona Villafranca. An infrastructural intervention worth a total of 68 million euros, which began with the laying of the foundation stone, in the presence of representatives of Catullo Spa shareholders and local institutions. A work that contributes to the revitalization of the economy of Verona, Veneto and Trentino, also in view of the important events scheduled in the coming years, on all the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Romeo project for the expansion of Catullo airport.

Part of the Northeastern airport hub along with Venice, Treviso and Brescia, the Verona airport is managed by industrial partner Save Group: a system that, through a synergistic relationship between the airports, handled 18.5 million passengers in 2019, before the pandemic . Romeo Project is the main intervention on Catullo air terminal provided for in the Airport Development Plan and concerns the redevelopment and expansion of the departure terminal, the area of which will pass From the current 24,840 sq. m. to 36,370 sq. m., to which will be added the renovation of more than 10,000 square meters of existing areas.

Among the main interventions planned is the architectural upgrading of the check-in hall, where the reception desks will increase from the current 40 to 46, including self check-in and self-luggage storage stations. Also planned is the construction of new boarding rooms on the second floor. From the current 13 will be increased to 19 boarding gates. The new infrastructure will be built with a view to environmental sustainability, high maintainability and energy savings. The main contract was awarded by tender to the Temporary Grouping of Companies composed of leading companies in the sector: Itinera (part of the Gavio Group), Leonardo and Euroimpianti. The major infrastructure will be completed by the end of May 2024.

Sustainability and energy savings for Verona Villafranca airport.

The Romeo project involves, as mentioned, an investment Of more than 68 million euros. 11,500 square meters of expansion, 10,000 square meters of upgrading and 36,000 square meters of passenger terminal are planned. Passenger capacity is to reach the figure of 5 million a year. New commercial areas to serve passengers and an expanded and renovated duty free area are also identified in the project. In addition, there will be a new security area equipped with a new BHS standard 3 (hold baggage handling) system. Regarding energy conservation and sustainability, the projected numbers have been released:

• 80,000 kWh/year and 700 tons/year of CO2 saved due to energy efficiency
• Lower consumption of about 1,200,000 kWh annually for a lower energy cost of about 200,000
• 200 state-of-the-art anti-glare photovoltaic modules
• 40% of using recycled and recyclable materials

Swabs at the airport, regulations

There have been many renovations for Catullo Airport in recent years. However, the Romeo project represents a major breakthrough for air traffic of the near future. Recall that for summer 2021, the Veneto Region, in a July 19 order, recommended screening, by swab, for all individuals from the United Kingdom, Malta, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Portugal, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania and Bulgaria. From Tuesday, July 20 the airport has set up a buffer point. To reach it, one must go to the arrivals hall before the exit. The whole thing is managed by ULSS9. A totally free service, at least for individuals from the countries mentioned.