The debate over the municipal surcharge on airport boarding fees brings to the forefront a proposal put forward months ago by regional councilor Valdo Di Nolfo. The Alghero regional council member once again advocates eliminating the Alghero airport tax during the months between October and May, which coincide with the winter season and the so-called shoulder months.
"The issue is currently at the center of public debate, but a concrete proposal has been around for some time," Di Nolfo emphasizes, noting that the goal is to incentivize air traffic during off-peak periods, when the Riviera del Corallo airport experiences its lowest numbers. According to the regional councilor, the measure could be an effective tool for attracting new routes, increasing connections, and strengthening the competitiveness of Alghero Airport and the entire Sardinian airport system. The surcharge on boarding fees, in fact, adds an average of about €6.50 to the final cost of a plane ticket, an amount that has already been eliminated or reduced in several Italian regions to encourage the development of airport traffic.
Di Nolfo highlights how Alghero Airport currently accounts for approximately 17 percent of the island's total air traffic and believes that targeted intervention during the low season could help increase the attractiveness of northwest Sardinia, with positive impacts not only on tourism but also on the mobility of residents, students, workers, and businesses. "It's not about favoring an airline," he clarifies, "but about making a strategic choice for Sardinia." Therefore, the regional councilor concludes, the proposal should be evaluated based on data and without prejudice, as part of a long-term vision capable of strengthening connections and supporting the economic development of the entire region.
