The San Marino Aeroclub responds to the criticisms of the Torraccia Civic Committee with a note signed by the president Edgardo Casaliwho intervenes to “clarify some fundamental points, to protect the truth of the facts and the work carried out in the interest of the community”.
Casali first specifies the limits of competence of the Aeroclub: “The ACS has no powers to carry out the work or not”, underlining that the extensions cited by the Committee “are certainly not a symptom of a lack of project, but rather demonstrate the rigorous compliance with the administrative procedures and regulations in force”. In a complex environment such as the airport, he adds, “compliance with ICAO directives and national legislation is the absolute priority”.
The president firmly rejects the safety-related accusations: “The accusations regarding violations of safety regulations are serious and baseless.” And he reiterates: “The pilots who operate on our airfield follow rigorous protocols and also operate on international airports in full compliance with the rules”. A fixed point is clearly expressed: “Safety is, and will always remain, the central pillar of our business”.
Also under scrutiny is the definition of the expansion project as a “cathedral in the desert”, judged by Casali to be a superficial reading: “It means deliberately ignoring the strategic scope of the work”. The Torraccia airfield, he highlights, represents “a fundamental asset for the country”, also useful for Civil Protection and for the development of international aeronautical tourism. “Considering the modernization of this structure as a waste is a short-sighted vision that does not take into account the added value for the entire territory”.
In conclusion, the Aeroclub distances itself from controversies and alarmist tones: “We remain far from exploitations that benefit no one” and issues an invitation to the Committee: “A constructive and respectful dialogue, which places the healthy and safe development of our country at the centre”.
