Joint venture formed to create Lombardy vertiport network

Skyports Infrastructure has formed a joint venture with the owner of Milan’s airports SEA Milan and an Italian airport infrastructure investment firm controlled by F2i infrastructure funds. 

The joint venture VEGA, which stands for Vertical Gateway, will build a vertiport network across Milan and the wider Lombardy region. The first objective is to launch operations between Malpensa Airport and central Milan, according to VEGA. The focus will then shift to scaling operations to other parts of Lombardy and potentially other Italian regions.

Paolomaria Capello, CEO of VEGA, said: “This joint venture brings together key aviation stakeholders to transform transportation at the heart of Italy’s business and industrial capital. With VEGA, we are delivering cutting-edge electric vertical aviation technology, creating faster, cleaner connections between urban centres, airports, and other important hubs of economic activity and tourism.”

Skyports will contribute its knowledge in developing, constructing and operating vertiport infrastructure, SEA Milan will bring its experience in managing and operating two of Italy’s busiest airports, and 2i Aeroporti will leverage relationships with Italian institutions and its large national airport platform.

The board of directors is led by Alessandro Fidato from SEA Milan, who serves as chairman, alongside Capello, VEGA’s CEO. The board also includes Damian Kysely of Skyports, Laura Pascotto from F2i and SEA Prime’s Chiara Dorigotti as directors.

Damian Kysely, director, VEGA and head of EMEA at Skyports Infrastructure, said: “The formation of VEGA is a significant milestone in Skyports’ mission to bring air taxi operations to northern Italy. This joint venture underscores our commitment to building the infrastructure needed to make advanced air mobility a reality for Milan and Lombardy. With VEGA, we’re not only developing efficient, low emission transport solutions for passengers and cargo, but also positioning the region as a leader in Europe’s AAM future.”

Laura Pascotto, partner at F2i, added: “F2i, through 2i Aeroporti, controls the largest airport network in Italy, with over 63 million passengers every year. This result has been built over the years through several acquisitions and relevant investments, and today is the ideal platform for the development of vertical mobility infrastructures. As shareholders of SEA and Skyports, we are thrilled to bring Vega to life and participate directly in its development.”