No more “unfounded polemics”. Milan airport will be named after Silvio Berlusconi

The Italian Civil Aviation Authority asked the company managing Milan Malpensa Airport to install signs there with the inscription: “Milan Malpensa International Airport – Silvio Berlusconi”. The application was submitted after the court rejected complaints against naming the port after the former prime minister.

The Administrative Court of the Lombardy region rejected the appeals filed by the authorities of Milan and three surrounding municipalities against the decision to name the large airport after Berlusconi, who died in 2023. The court found that local authorities did not have legal standing to challenge the decision on the airport's name because airports are state property.

Decisions on naming belong to the Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and relevant ministries, the court ruled. Thus, the ENAC resolution of 2024, approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, led by Matteo Salvini, was approved.

ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma stated on Sunday that “in order to avoid further unfounded polemics, we were waiting for the outcome of the long court proceedings, even though the Administrative Court did not suspend the decision taken by the office.”

– Now that the detailed and thorough ruling has confirmed beyond any doubt the correctness of the procedure used, ENAC asks the company managing Milan airports to immediately implement signage in accordance with the order – added Di Palma, quoted by Ansa news agency.

He pointed out that in its ruling the Administrative Court emphasized that naming Berlusconi is an expression of recognition for his institutional, political and business role.

Sylwia Wysocka from Rome (PAP)

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