On June 26, 2024, Aeroporti di Roma announced that it had received a binding offer from MSC Group to purchase its minority stake in Aeroporto di Genova Spa, which manages the Cristoforo Colombo airport. This move marks MSC's expansion from the port of Genoa to the nearby airport.
Aeroporti di Roma had long expressed its intention to sell its stake in the Genoa airport, initiating a process to gather interest earlier in 2024. The company emphasized that the transaction aligns with and is supported by the Municipality of Genoa, which has actively promoted the operation. The municipality confirmed its commitment to continuing its involvement in the airport's shareholder structure, considering it a strategic asset.
Previously, the Municipality of Genoa had intended to acquire this 15% stake itself, with Deputy Mayor and Budget Councillor Pietro Piciocchi affirming the plan on June 18, aiming to conclude the deal by year's end. Despite knowing of MSC's interest, Piciocchi stated that the municipality would proceed unequivocally, citing strategic benefits.
MSC's interest in Genoa's airport stems from its cargo operations via MSC Air Cargo and passenger services through its cruise division. Other cargo operators, including Spinelli (with Hapag-Lloyd) and Levorato Marceviaggi, had also shown interest. The reasons for the municipality's reversal are currently unclear.
With MSC's entry, the Aponte family's group becomes the sole private shareholder in an ownership structure dominated by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, which holds 60%, followed by the Genoa Chamber of Commerce with 25%. The airport company plans a capital increase of 4.8 million euros to cover 2023 losses and revitalize the airport.
This revitalization is expected to extend to air cargo, an area where Genoa's airport has been underutilized. Recent months have seen growing cargo traffic. In the first four months of 2024, the airport handled 534.7 tons of cargo (excluding mail), a 46.8% increase from the same period in the previous year. The 2023 total was 1,267.1 tons, a 15.5% rise.
Confirming its commitment to cargo growth, the airport company signed an agreement in June 2023 with the Spediporto association, transferring cargo traffic management to Goas, a consortium of 21 Genoese shippers. The agreement includes a 2,200-square-meter warehouse, offices, changing rooms, a 3,000-square-meter maneuvering area, and a 900-square-meter quay-side dock.
