Air Tech Italy recently caught up with Davide Bassano, Sustainability Director at Gruppo Save.
Gruppo Save is the group behind Venice Marco Polo Airport, Brescia Airport, Venice Treviso Airport, and Verona Villafranca Airport. It also holds a 48,32% stake in Brussels South Charleroi Airport.
Davide kindly shared insights on the group’s sustainability strategy, its key focus areas, and the broader importance of sustainability in aviation.
Hi Davide, can you introduce yourself and your role within Gruppo SAVE?
Davide: “Of course, my pleasure. I’m Davide Bassano, and I’ve been managing sustainability at Gruppo SAVE since 2021. Previously, I was the HSE Director. Our department has undergone significant changes to address emerging challenges in the airport environment, including decarbonization and the circular economy—topics that extend beyond the traditional HSE scope. Many HSE and quality functions have been integrated into the sustainability division, which now covers a much broader range of responsibilities.”
“Gruppo SAVE oversees four airports: Venice Marco Polo, Brescia, Treviso, and Verona Villafranca, each with its own distinct role. Venice Marco Polo is the largest, serving as the main international gateway for intercontinental traffic. Treviso functions primarily as a low-cost hub, with Wizz Air and Ryanair as its main operators. Verona, due to its strategic location, attracts a mix of low-cost carriers, charters, and scheduled airlines, catering to visitors attending cultural events or traveling to Lake Garda. Brescia is mainly a cargo airport. Lastly, Gruppo SAVE also owns 48,32% of Brussels South Charleroi Airport (BSCA), which independently manages its sustainability initiatives in collaboration with local authorities, though we share knowledge and best practices when relevant.”
Sustainability and the Impact of Potential New Ownership
Davide: “As a private company, therefore on the market to attract new capital and investors, sustainability is a key focus.”
“Investors today prioritize companies that can demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability. We’re often asked why we invest so heavily in this area, and the answer is simple: we have no choice. The investment community demands proof of our efforts to reduce our environmental impact. No sustainability, no investment.”
What role does sustainability play in your company?
Davide: “Sustainability has long been embedded in our DNA, largely due to the location of Venice Marco Polo Airport. In 2008, we began to take a broader approach to sustainability, making the necessary investments. It was initially addressed in our 2021 Masterplan from an environmental standpoint, but it gained even greater momentum post-COVID, when sustainability became a strategic pillar of our decision-making.”
“That said, the shift wasn’t drastic, as we were already well-prepared, thanks to our experience with Venice Marco Polo. The airport’s location presents unique challenges—it is surrounded by a lagoon with rich biodiversity, so environmental conservation has always been a priority.”
How do you see sustainability evolving, and what will be the future focus?
Davide: “There are many ideas circulating in the industry, mostly centered on decarbonization, with a strong emphasis on moving away from fossil fuels and adopting green energy solutions, such as geothermal and photovoltaic energy. These are the main investment areas at the moment.”
“In the mid-term, there is still uncertainty around Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). While SAFs appear to be the logical way forward, availability and production remain significant challenges. We expect a phased transition leading up to 2030, with demand likely outpacing supply.”
“Hydrogen is another alternative, but it is currently very expensive and its feasibility remains uncertain. It was discussed during a recent TULIPS session (a consortium dedicated to fostering low-carbon mobility and sustainability innovations), but at present, hydrogen production remains minimal. A major challenge is the lack of private investment interest due to its high cost and complexity. Additionally, hydrogen storage requires significant space, raising concerns over community acceptance and safety risks. Expanding hydrogen use will involve extensive discussions before it becomes a viable option.”
“For now, I believe SAF is the best alternative—it is more readily available and has minimal operational impact on existing aircraft. Electric aviation, while promising, is still too limited in range and capacity, and will likely be restricted to short-haul flights with a small number of passengers.”
What role does SAF play in your sustainability plans?
Davide: “In Venice, we are developing a new facility and exploring ways to incorporate SAF. We are currently in discussions with a local producer about manufacturing SAF at the nearby Port of Marghera, which already has an established industrial hub for hydrogen and biofuel production, primarily for public transportation. If successful, we aim to offer SAF at Venice Airport by 2026. Our role in this initiative is to bridge the gap between producers and users, which will significantly enhance the airport’s sustainability performance.”
Are there any sustainability trends you’d like to highlight?
Davide: “Internally, we are continuously evaluating how we can adapt to industry changes and market dynamics. One area we are particularly interested in is how sustainability impacts end users and their willingness to offset their journeys. So far, our tests indicate that passengers are reluctant to contribute financially to sustainability efforts. However, this will likely change, as airlines increasingly incorporate SAFs and airports continue investing in sustainable initiatives—costs that will eventually be passed on to users. We anticipate that authorities and aviation associations will play a role in setting regulations in this area.”
“Intermodality is another key aspect of sustainability. Venice Marco Polo will soon be connected to Italy’s high-speed rail network, offering direct links to major cities across the country right from the airport. This will significantly improve connectivity and reduce reliance on short-haul flights.”
“Finally, biodiversity is a major focus for Venice due to its proximity to the lagoon. What initially posed a challenge has become an opportunity—we have redesigned the airport to integrate more harmoniously with its natural surroundings. By closely monitoring biodiversity and adapting our operations accordingly, we have successfully minimized our environmental impact. For example, we preserve quiet zones, ensuring wildlife habitats remain undisturbed while also preventing disruptions to airport operations. We are applying this same approach to all our infrastructure projects, recognizing that sustainability and operational efficiency can go hand in hand.”
Many thanks, Davide! This was a truly inspiring discussion. Best of luck with your sustainability initiatives—hopefully, many airports can learn from your approach.