Bologna, 4 May 2024 – A year later there position taken by the mayor Matteo Leporewhich led to an intervention for avoid night flights over the city, the Municipality intervenes again on the issue of airport noise. This time, Palazzo d’Accursio writes directly to the Ministry of the Environment to ask for one verification of traffic levels and environmental impacts in 2024 to understand whether they are in line with the forecasts contained in the master plan for 2023. “Also in consideration of the acoustic criticalities that emerged during 2023 and the non-compliance situation illustrated by the airport manager in the annual report relating to 2023, the growing air traffic recorded and expected in the next few years, the municipal administration considers this verification by Enac to be all the more necessary, on which the Ministry of the Environment will express its opinion”, explains the Municipality, which he reminded the Pichetto Fratin ministry the obligations deriving from ministerial approval of the airport Masterplan. In short, the point is to understand whether the traffic data and the effects in terms of noise and atmosphere are in line with the plan’s forecasts.
“It will have to be an opportunity to check whether the projections have been carried out in the master plan and the real numbers are aligned and take further containment actions if necessary”, urges Palazzo D’Accursio.
The deputy mayor and councilor for the environment increases the situation, Emily Clancy with pressing directed especially at Enac (National civil aviation body subject to the control of the Ministry of Transport), to verify air traffic numbers: “We have decided to implement strong action that will allow us to take charge of what is happening. The airport is not only an infrastructure, but also a reality with environmental repercussions”, recalls Clancy, who explains in the Chamber why the administration decided to request an intervention from the Ministry of the Environment on Enac.
“The data of 2023 have shown an increase in flights compared to previous years and the maximum noise levels have been reached”, recalls the deputy mayor. And in the Chamber she makes it known that she receives “daily reports, as do the Municipality’s technicians, on what happens in the skies during the day and at night. We ask for clarity on some points and for the competent bodies to carry out their tasks: we cannot wait any longer, this must be the opportunity to understand whether real numbers and the master plan are aligned, and, if they are not, take further measures”, says Clancy.
“AdB presented the 2023 annual noise report: an increase in levels is confirmed, but they remain within the regulatory thresholds with a situation that follows that of 2022. We have, however, asked Arpae for some further information, it is necessary to give answers to the citizens”, informs the number two of the Lepore council.
The councilor of Brothers of Italy Francesca Scarano defends the executive’s actions: “The Meloni government and the MIT with the deputy minister Bignami immediately showed themselves, something never done before by PD-led governments, attentive to the issues of night-time overflights over Bologna. Only a few months ago an anti-noise commission was held with all the proposed bodies, including the Municipality of Bologna, to promptly monitor the situation”. Given the government’s high level of attention on the issue of night-time overflights, “Deputy Mayor Clancy’s attack is certainly aimed more at electoral purposes than anything else. If the Municipality – insists Scarano – has plans to weaken Bologna airport of which he is also a member, let him say it clearly, assuming full responsibility and not hiding in sterile controversies”.
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