OLBIA. There is a particular charm in the union of two historic aircraft maintenance companies, rooted in the past of regional companies such as Alisarda and Ati, which today find full development in an agreement that promises a future full of expectations. On one hand Atitech, a branch born from Ati specifically for the maintenance of aircraft, on the other Alisarda Real Estate with a company entirely controlled by Geasar with a name that recalls the glories and the dawn of aviation in Sardinia with the company wanted by Prince Aga Khan who revolutionized the world of transport and tourism on the island.
The establishment of Atitech in the new Costa Smeralda aircraft maintenance hub represents not only a technological and industrial advancement, but also a continuation of a tradition rooted in the Sardinian territory, responding to a growing demand from the private jet sector in line with the development and growth of the presence of yachts throughout the coast. This ambitious project promises to be a crucial economic opportunity for the Gallura port and for the whole of Sardinia, with the potential to create numerous jobs and stimulate local development.
The project, presented yesterday to the press at the Costa Smeralda airport in the hangars that housed Meridiana Maintenance, one of the flagships of international aviation maintenance at the Costa Smeralda airport, was welcomed with enthusiasm by the participants. The prestigious figures who took part in the event certified the importance of the meeting which also revealed important news for the area which will also affect hundreds of former Air Italy and former Meridiana workers, specialized technicians who remained at home after the well-known events of divestment of the airlines in question and which could soon find a job again. Present were the mayor of Olbia Settimo Nizzi, the vice president of the Region and councilor for the budget Giuseppe Meloni, the councilors for transport and work Desireè Manca and Barbara Manca, the president of Atitech Gianni Lettieri, the managing director of Geasar Silvio Pippobello, Mario Garau as CEO of Alisarda Re, Roberto Solinas director of Enac Sardinia. A historic day therefore with a ten-year contract which provides for the use of the Avio1 and Avio2 hangars at Olbia airport where up to six basic maintenance bays and two “interiors refurbishment” bays will be set up for the “business aviation” target, that of private jets. Atitech was selected as the operator of the two hangars following an international selection procedure launched last year, which saw the participation of over 30 companies specializing in aeronautical maintenance. The participating companies were evaluated based on the project proposal, the solidity of the business plan, the planned investments, as well as the direct and indirect economic impact on the Geasar Group and the territory. “The geographical positioning of Olbia airport and the historical traffic recorded in this market segment guarantee a certain demand base to support our project”, explained the president and CEO of Atitech, Gianni Lettieri, during the event. “For our part – he continued – we are certain that we can guarantee the right know-how to offer rapid, concrete and high-performance responses to the requests for maintenance services that come from this particular market segment. But not only. We will make use of the staff of the former Air Italy and will leverage the training of new resources, also through collaboration with regional institutions and local high schools in the technical and aeronautical sector. It is a very ambitious project, which aims to create a maintenance center for private jets here in Sardinia, unique in Italy, capable of looking to the future with confidence – concluded Lettieri – in full awareness that it is a design perfectly in line with the current economic and productive fabric of the place”. “The geographical positioning of Olbia airport and the historical traffic recorded in this market segment guarantee a certain demand base to support our project”, explained the president and CEO of Atitech, Gianni Lettieri, during the event.
“For our part – he continued – we are certain that we can guarantee the right know-how to offer rapid, concrete and high-performance responses to the requests for maintenance services that come from this particular market segment. But not only. We will make use of the staff of the former Air Italy and will leverage the training of new resources, also through collaboration with regional institutions and local high schools in the technical and aeronautical sector. It is a very ambitious project, which aims to create a maintenance center for private jets here in Sardinia, unique in Italy, capable of looking to the future with confidence – concluded Lettieri – in full awareness that it is a design perfectly in line with the current economic and productive fabric of the place”. “This is a moment of great importance both for the airport and for the territory. We have today laid the foundations to bring back to life an adventure that began 60 years ago thanks to the foresight of HRH Prince Aga Khan. Aviation maintenance has always been the flagship of our territory and we are sure that with Atitech it will continue to represent, even in the future, a strategic activity for Sardinia, thanks to its high added value and great content in terms of technology and innovation. These elements fit perfectly with the airport vision and with the training and industrial programs of the area. We thank Dr. Gianni Lettieri for believing in the great opportunity represented by the immediate availability of highly qualified structures and human resources and the importance of Olbia airport, on an international level, in the sector of assistance to executive flights”, declared Silvio Pippobello , CEO of the Geasar SpA Group. A small photographic exhibition was set up in the event space with images of Atitech’s business and Olbia Airport.
