The current phase represents a delicate transition period for Lugano Airport, marked by important institutional issues, including the renewal of the 30-year federal concession and the updating of the PSIA (airport master plan).
In this context, the Municipality of Lugano has deemed it appropriate to define and clarify the division of strategic and operational responsibilities in order to ensure continuity, stability and adequate institutional oversight, accompanying the airport towards its future management structure.
From 1 January 2026, a change in the management of Lugano Airport will come into effect. The current general manager, Davide Pedrioli, will take on the role of strategic advisor to the City Council in 2026, with a mandate focused on and limited to the main institutional issues. In particular, he will be responsible for updating the PSIA file, renewing the federal concession in coordination with the municipalities of Agno, Bioggio and Muzzano, the canton and the federal authorities, initiating the procedure for a future satellite approach, and coordinating the Airport Working Group (GLA), which will prepare the municipal message concerning the future management of the airport and possible forms of involvement of private investors.
Full operational responsibility for the airport will pass to Christian Castelli, the current Accountable Manager, who will take over the management of airport operations, personnel and day-to-day relations with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), operational partners, suppliers and customers.
Castelli joined Lugano Airport in 2024 and has gradually gained direct experience in airport management, consolidating his operational role and now assuming full responsibility for operations. The new structure formalises and clarifies a division of tasks that was already in place, reinforcing the distinction between the oversight of strategic issues and the day-to-day operational management of the airport.
Lugano Airport is set to close the 2025 financial year with growth in both the number of flights and turnover. The new management structure will enable the airport to approach 2026 with solid operational stability and a clear decision-making framework for the next steps, with a view to steering the airport towards its future management structure, for the benefit of customers, employees and the local area.
Lugano, december 19th, 2025
