A political clash erupted after Aeroitalia, the airline that provides regional flights from Sardinia to Rome and Milan, announced its intention to end the service, which it deemed unsustainable under current conditions.
Former Transport Councilor Antonio Moro (PSD'AZ) uses the same adjective, in this case to describe the regional territorial continuity tender. "Expanding the range of beneficiaries of discounted fares, setting ticket prices for three years, reducing travel costs by ten euros, eliminating automatic mechanisms to cover extra fuel costs and taxes—these are all good arguments for political propaganda, but when it comes down to it, they don't keep planes flying and leave Sardinians stranded."
According to Moro, "The propaganda tender now reveals all its limitations and paradoxes, starting with the first: the Region allocates resources to offset the extra costs of fuel, but lacks the tools necessary to get them to the airlines without risking a violation of EU rules. Furthermore, in the latest budget law, the Region allocated one hundred million for air travel continuity, committing perhaps less than a fifth of it. Sardinia is one step away from being denied the right to territorial continuity, which for over 25 years has guaranteed Sardinians controlled fares, flights at set times, and with predetermined frequencies."
The Five Star Movement's response was quick: "The air territorial continuity tender launched by the Todde administration is the best Sardinia has ever had : we have lowered ticket prices, allowed thousands of Sardinians living abroad to reunite with their loved ones, and guaranteed workers travel to and from Sardinia at reduced fares. None of this has anything to do with the questionable operational decisions of a single airline or the global crisis related to fuel costs. The continuity of air travel is absolutely not at risk."
The UIL (Italian Union of Transport) is critical of both the Region and Aeroitalia. "While we understand the difficulties associated with the rising cost of jet fuel, we cannot accept that Aeroitalia, after having chosen to operate routes without public compensation in order to beat out competition and secure connections, is now denouncing their economic unsustainability," emphasizes Elisabetta Manca, Deputy General Secretary of UILTrasporti Sardegna, "thus jeopardizing essential services for Sardinian citizens and the employment stability of workers. The business risks and the sustainability of the commitments undertaken should have been carefully assessed before accepting the public service obligations."
The UIL, on the other hand, is asking the Region to "clarify what checks have been carried out on the airline's actual economic and operational capacity. But whatever the future scenario, the Region must assume responsibility for ensuring the continuity of connections, and no worker should lose their job."
Regional Councilor Stefano Schirru (Alleanza Sardegna) is also calling for guarantees: "We cannot allow Sardinian citizens to once again suffer the consequences of a situation that risks compromising their right to mobility. Territorial continuity cannot be managed by chasing emergencies. We need serious planning, constant dialogue with carriers, and above all, the ability to prevent situations that risk penalizing residents, workers, and businesses."
(Unioneonline/AD)