The Regional Government is "beyond amateurism." But Aeroitalia must also "hold account of its commitments" after choosing to guarantee territorial continuity "with zero compensation." Forza Italia MP Ugo Cappellacci has entered the dispute between the Region and the airline forcefully after CEO Gaetano Intrieri announced the possibility of cutting service due to rising air travel costs.
But the former regional president also raises a question, directed at Aeroitalia: " Are you up to date with your payments to Sogaer, the company that manages Cagliari airport? Are there any outstanding and unpaid charges? If so, as I suspect, do you think it's fair to finance your business this way, using the airport operator as a bank?"
While waiting for answers to what seems like a rhetorical question, Cappellacci attacks the Region: "Sardinians must be able to leave and return home. The Todde administration must provide certainty, because we are beyond amateurism and political irresponsibility." And again, addressing the governor: "President Todde, you were celebrating the zero-cost routes, and today what alternative have you prepared? How will you guarantee flights to and from Sardinia? There are people here who need treatment, work, and study. Leaving them in uncertainty means taking a risk on their lives: the bill can't always be paid by the Sardinians."
Intrieri's response
Aeroitalia CEO Intrieri decided to respond on social media. Here's what he wrote.
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Dear Ugo Cappellacci
Since he is publicly raising questions about the economic relations between Aeroitalia and SOGAER, it would be appropriate for him to first investigate the facts.
For two years, Aeroitalia has effectively been SOGAER's main customer in terms of airport fees. This is despite other carriers, starting with Ryanair, operating under profoundly different commercial agreements, with economic conditions that would warrant much greater attention from the airline.
You ask whether Aeroitalia pays SOGAER. I suggest a much more interesting question: how much does Aeroitalia pay SOGAER compared to how much Ryanair pays for each passenger transported?
And above all, why doesn't he tell Sardinian citizens that the Transport Regulatory Authority, with *resolution no. 198/2025 of 20 November 2025, imposed specific tariff requirements on SOGAER, subsequently recalled by **resolution no. 87/2026 of 27 May 2026, with particular reference to point 3, letters d), e) and f)*?
Because, Senator, in commercial relationships, there's a give and take. And anyone who presumes to publicly discuss a company's debts should at least have the decency to also examine the disputed amounts and the reasons for the related disputes.
Aeroitalia is not shirking its commitments, having paid tens of millions into Sogaer's coffers over the years and paying in full those airport fees that ART disavowed with the aforementioned resolution.
We have invested in Sardinia, created hundreds of jobs, and guaranteed essential connections for Sardinian citizens, taking on considerable industrial and economic risks. The difference is that we are entrepreneurs, we invest resources, and we assume responsibility. You ask questions on social media. If you truly wish to delve deeper into the economic relationship between Aeroitalia and SOGAER, I am available for a public discussion, with documents and figures in hand. Possibly also discussing the conditions reserved for other carriers. Because transparency either applies to everyone, or it's just propaganda.
Cappellacci's counter-reply
And here comes Cappellacci's counter-reply. Here it is.
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Dear CEO,
Thank you for your kind message. I simply note that you haven't answered a very simple question: Is Aeroitalia up to date with its payments to SOGAER, or are there any outstanding and unpaid charges?
Recalling the amount paid over the years, the conditions applied to other carriers, and the existence of disputes doesn't clarify this point. If there are unpaid sums due to disputes, you can indicate the amount and distinguish them from any undisputed amounts.
Asking questions about issues concerning Sardinia's transport system is fully my responsibility. Responding on the merits should be equally natural for those who emphasize the value of transparency. The rest of your comments, including the propaganda, are not worthy of a response.
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)