Sardinia tourism growth drives airport rises and waste pressure

Sardinia is experiencing significant growth in tourism, reflected in rising passenger numbers at major airports and increased waste production. Data from Assaeroporti for July shows Alghero airport grew by 18.5% compared to the previous year, with international passengers accounting for 53% of its total. Olbia airport saw an 8.7% increase, while Cagliari reported a 10% rise.

This surge in visitors has placed pressure on local infrastructure, specifically waste management. In the Gallura region, the Spiritu Santu landfill is approaching saturation due to higher-than-expected waste volumes during the summer peak. To address this, Cipnes, the entity managing the facility, has initiated a project to increase the landfill's capacity by 99,000 cubic meters through vertical expansion, aiming to optimize existing structures without consuming additional land.