The South Tyrolean airline Skyalps is currently the focus of extensive investigations by the Italian judiciary. In addition to technical irregularities in the maintenance of its aircraft, allegations of corruption and construction speculation are also coming into the focus of the authorities. These developments shed light on the challenges and risks facing the regional aviation industry.
At the end of February 2025, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) conducted an extraordinary inspection at Skyalps. Significant deficiencies in the maintenance documentation were identified. In particular, maintenance work was certified as completed even though it had not been performed. There were also indications of the use of outdated or incorrectly registered components. These irregularities led to the temporary grounding of seven of the airline's eight De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400 aircraft.
An external technician of Portuguese nationality came under the investigators' scrutiny. He is accused of certifying services that had not been provided for months. As a result of these findings, he was denied access to all airports where Skyalps operates.
Reaction from Skyalps
Skyalps emphasized in an initial statement that the accused technician was not an employee of the company. Managing Director Josef Gostner stated that the company is working closely with the authorities to correct the documentation and return the affected aircraft to service as quickly as possible.
Allegations of corruption and construction speculation
Parallel to the technical investigations, another scandal is rocking the region: the Trento Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating a total of 77 people for alleged corruption, construction speculation, and criminal activities. Among the suspects are prominent entrepreneurs, civil servants, and public administrators.
Particularly explosive is the involvement of Josef Gostner, the head of Skyalps, and René Benko, one of Europe's most prominent real estate investors. The investigations cast a dark light on a network that allegedly grew over the years and is said to have infiltrated the construction industry and public administration in South Tyrol and Trentino.
Airport expansion under suspicion
A central point of the allegations concerns the expansion of Bolzano Airport. Gostner, as the airport's majority owner, allegedly colluded with Paolo Signoretti of Heliopolis AG to manipulate the inspections of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC). Specifically, it is alleged that the actual groundwater level was concealed in order to obtain approval for the runway expansion.
In addition to the corruption allegations related to construction projects, insider trading and personal enrichment are also at stake. Gostner is accused of passing on confidential information to family members as managing director of Alerion Clean Power, who were able to profit financially from it.
Reactions and outlook
The revelations have sparked a wave of outrage in South Tyrol and Trentino. Politicians and institutions are demanding a full investigation. Skyalps stated that these investigations do not directly affect the company and that air traffic will continue without restrictions.
It remains to be seen what legal consequences the investigations will have and to what extent the alleged criminal networks can be dismantled. The scandal demonstrates how deeply corruption can penetrate the structures of business and administration. For the affected regions, not only trust in politics but also the reputation of their economies is at stake.