Geasar passengers + 38%, Ryanair for 5 years, 100 million revenues
"In May 2024, Olbia airport had, in some days, an increase in passengers even 50% compared to the same month of 2023, is a growth I had never seen before". It has said Silvio Pippobello, historical managing director of Geasar, the society that manages the port of call of Olbia-Costa Smeralda, speaking in the center of UniOlbia in via Porto Romano, Wednesday, during the presentation of the "Top 1000" of the companies in Sardinia of the Nuova Sardegna.
+38 passengers in 2024 and +50% peak
These are extraordinary figures, which collect the investments made by Geaasr both in infrastructure (extension of the runway, new airport areas), both in operational management, and in business relations with airlines. From 1 January to 23 May, passengers increased by 38%, according to data from the company. Specifically, the increase in international passengers (40%) was higher than domestic passengers (+36.8%). In May, then, there were record increases: up to 50% more, in fact.
In May 2023, according to data from Assaeroporti, there were 245,500 passengers in Olbia. Between January and May 2023, 544,427. Between January and May 2024, passengers would therefore
Pippobello has explained that the tendency now will be stabilized in the summer months because of the saturation of the markets, but has rimarcato the importance, for the territory of the Sardinia, of the extraordinary increment in the shoulder months, as note is May. It is the lengthening of the season that has been discussed for decades.
Olbia and Alghero together stronger with companies
The CEO of Geasar also leads the airport of Alghero - managed by Sogael (both companies are controlled by the fund F2i) - and spoke of the union between the airports of Sardinia, explaining that in a globalized world we must make system. He mentioned the benefits that derive from the union between Olbia and Alghero, for example those on contracts and relations with airlines. Being a single entity gives more bargaining power to airports and therefore territories. As was the case with Ryanair.
Agreement with Ryanair of 5 years
Pippobello has revealed that the agreement with the Irish airline does not concern only Olbia and is not valid only for a year. He said that the commercial agreement is valid for 5 years and that this will produce more flights not only to Olbia but also to Alghero airport. The agreement between Geasar was announced in winter 2024 and represented a turning point. The scheduled flights are 10 and mark the entry of the low cost to the Costa Smeralda. The two ports of call, from today, with the opening of a new stretch of the Olbia-Sassari, will be still closer.
Geasar Group to share 100 million revenues
In the Top 1000 of Nuova Sardegna, an annual project carried out with the University of Sassari and the Chamber of Commerce of Northern Sardinia, Geasar ranks 37th with revenues of 69,748,000 in 2022 (year of publication analysis). But they consider the group - thanks to Atoka/Cerved in use to the Cipnes Gallura - the revenues are decidedly greater. Geasar controls Cortesa (that it takes care of the commercial aspect and has revenues of 18.871.000 euros), Eccelsa (that it manages the port of call of the private flights and has revenues of 9.942.000 euros) and Alisarda Real Estate (700 thousand euros). So altogether, the Geasar group has revenues for 99.261.000. In 2023, the 100 million ceiling was exceeded, another historic achievement.
The most sustainable company in Sardinia
It’s not just numbers. Geasar was recently awarded by Sole 24 Ore as one of the most sustainable companies in Italy and as the only one in Sardinia. The financial journal selected "240 companies, divided into two categories based on the published sustainability report and financial statements: 200 large companies and 40 small and medium companies". Here the consultation of data
Pippobello explained that workers today appreciate working for a sustainable society more.
Partner of UniOlbia
Geasar is also one of the founding partners of the Consorzio Polo Universitario Olbia (UniOlbia) and, by virtue of an agreement with the Consortium, hosts in the halls of the airport of Olbia the degree courses of the University of Sassari. There are three courses: Bachelor in Economics and Tourism Management; Bachelor in Business Administration curriculum Tourism Management; Bachelor in Innovation Management for Sustainable Tourism.
When the works in the former Upim/Standa of Corso Umberto, made by the Municipality of Olbia will be finished, the courses will be transferred to this new, modern and functional office in the heart of the city. [g.pi.]