Mr. Ivan Bassato:

I thank the committee for the invitation. We are very proud and happy to be part of this committee sitting. I thank the members of the committee for inviting me to contribute to this session. It is an honour for me to have the opportunity to share with the members of the committee the views of Aeroporti di Roma on the future of travel in the aviation sector.

The pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to airports, which have found themselves with a need to evolve their approach rapidly to comply with the paradigm shift in travel and tourism. Aeroporti di Roma's primary commitment today is to create the necessary conditions to relaunch traffic in maximum safety. We have been working relentlessly to implement effective protection measures and a strong prevention plan. We installed multiple screening tools, engaged in a series of sanitation activities and supported the Italian health authorities' testing operations by establishing a testing area in the arrivals hall and a large drive-through testing facility at the long-term stay parking facility of the airport. We are also, however, the first airport in Europe to have trialled a system of 100% Covid-tested flights, on the Rome-Milan route, in partnership with Alitalia and the health authorities of the Lazio region.

Our long-term goal in this respect is to use the expertise we developed to contribute to the creation and implementation of new global travel protocols, focusing on expanding the 100% Covid-tested flight system. Indeed, we regard the use of large-scale pre-departure rapid testing as one of the safest alternatives to current restrictions on non-EU travel flows, especially in respect of mandatory self-quarantine, as well as a protocol that would simultaneously increase passengers’ confidence. I am proud to say that the effectiveness of our health safety plan has been recognized by international bodies such as RINA, Airports Council International, ACI, and Skytrax, which rated Rome Fiumicino Airport with the highest score of five stars for its measures and protocols, as well as by primary international media that have endorsed the Covid-testing system available at Rome's airports.

To adapt to the new normal is a big challenge for all of us. I am confident that with efforts and international co-operation, we will succeed. I thank the committee for the time dedicated to me, and I remain available for any questions.