Italy’s Administrative Court rejected appeals against naming Milan’s main airport after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Thursday, finalizing the decision.
Court Rejects Appeals, Upholds Naming Decision
The Regional Administrative Court of Lombardy dismissed appeals from the city of Milan and three surrounding municipalities contesting the decision to name the airport after the late former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The court ruled that local authorities lacked the legal standing to challenge the naming decision, as airports are state-owned property. Naming decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and relevant ministries.
ENAC Decision Confirmed
This confirms a 2024 ENAC decision approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, led by Matteo Salvini.
Implementation of New Signage
ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma stated on Sunday that they waited for the court’s ruling to “avoid further unfounded debate,” despite the court not suspending the initial decision.
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority has instructed the company managing Milan Malpensa Airport to install signage reading: “Milan Malpensa International Airport – Silvio Berlusconi.”
Rationale Behind the Naming
Di Palma added that the Administrative Court’s ruling emphasized that naming the airport after Berlusconi is a recognition of his institutional, political, and business roles.
Who Was Silvio Berlusconi?
Silvio Berlusconi was born in Milan, where he died in 2023 at the age of 86. He founded the Forza Italia party in 1993 and served as Prime Minister of Italy three times.
Berlusconi was a billionaire who created the Fininvest holding company and the Mediaset media empire, controlling television stations, newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies. He was also the president and owner of the A.C. Milan football club.
Controversies and Scandals
Berlusconi was involved in numerous financial scandals, facing trials since the 1990s on charges of corruption, accounting fraud, abuse of power, conflict of interest, and money laundering. He was also embroiled in several sex scandals, including allegations of orgies with sex workers at his villa near Milan.
