Taranto infrastructure faces funding cuts and airport development calls

Stakeholders in Taranto are calling for increased investment and concrete action to support regional infrastructure and energy projects. Alfredo Luigi Conti, president of the Taranto Diritto di Volare movement, has welcomed recent discussions regarding the opening of the Taranto-Grottaglie Airport to commercial civil flights. He emphasized that the facility is technically prepared and urged the Puglia region to launch an attractive tender to entice airlines, suggesting routes beyond Rome and Milan to cities like Catania, Turin, and Venice.

Simultaneously, Puglia Region President Antonio Decaro has requested explanations from the Italian government regarding a significant reduction in funding for offshore wind projects. Decaro noted that allocations for the Ionian hub have reportedly dropped from an initial 28.5 million euros to less than 14 million euros. The regional government views the offshore wind sector as a critical opportunity for economic growth and a means to re-employ workers from the former Ilva steel plant.