Sardinian airport merger and privatization dispute

The proposed merger and privatization of Sardinia’s three main airports—Cagliari-Elmas, Olbia, and Alghero—has become a subject of legal and political dispute.

Initial scrutiny began when the Guardia di Finanza, representing the regional Prosecutor of the Court of Auditors, acquired documentation regarding the merger. Political figures, including Michele Pais of the Lega party, raised concerns over transparency and financial discrepancies. Specifically, critics questioned the regional government’s decision to invest 30 million euros for only a 9.25% stake in the future holding company, arguing this fails to reflect the over 200 million euros previously invested by the Region.

As the situation progressed, the focus shifted toward the management structure of the proposed holding company, which is intended to be led by F2i with a 50.25% stake. Regional President Alessandra Todde and opposition members have suggested restarting the process to include a public tender, moving away from the current selection method. Meanwhile, the center-right majority has defended the plan, dismissing opposition claims as a bluff and maintaining that the goal remains the transfer of the airports to F2i.