The politicians who use the most state flights in Italy

The data showing when and how much Meloni government politicians used state flights leaves no one indifferent.
In an increasingly poor Europe, at least for citizens, with multiple and profound crises from the price of food to that of petrol, the number of institutional flights makes many turn up their noses.
The Meloni government, which from the opposition has now settled well on state flights, proves itself to be the government with the most state flights carried out.
In 2023, 165 were carried out, compared to 157 in 2022 and 26 in 2021.
What is surprising is not so much the use made of it by the most important positions in the State, whose travel must respect stringent criteria such as safety and speed, because Special flights are always granted to both the Prime Minister and the Head of State; no, it is the state flights for ministers that inflate the numbers.
According to the directive issued by the Monti government, "state flights" can only be requested in exceptional cases, such as for proven, unpredictable and urgent transfer needs related to the effective exercise of institutional functions and the impossibility of scheduled flights.
It seems almost useless to confirm that no, the 165 state flights carried out were not all exceptions or emergencies.
Indeed, the most recent case of Daniela Santanchè's flight is controversial precisely because of its futile nature.
This must inaugurate the Italian pavilion at the international tourism fair and to do so it will use a state flight on the outward and return journey.
An institutional commitment of course, but planned in time and which does not present connection problems between Rome and Berlin.
The minister is not alone.
read also How much space travel pollutes: citizens pay the damages of large companies What is meant by state flight? The term “state flight” refers to a flight operated by an official aircraft of a state or government.
These flights are generally used for government purposes, including official travel by the head of state or government representatives.
State flights may be carried out to participate in international meetings, diplomatic summits, official visits to other countries or for purposes related to national security.
These flights enjoy a number of privileges, such as priority access, the ability to use reserved airspace and immunity from regular customs inspections.
Overall, state flights are an important tool for facilitating diplomacy and international relations, allowing government representatives to move quickly and safely between countries.
read also These are the rich people who pollute the most with their private jets Who used the most state flights? Over the last few years, the comparison sees state flights used: 165 times in 2023, compared to 157 in 2022 (almost all Draghi government); the 126 of 2021 (still Draghi government and two months of Conte II government); skipping the 2020 year of the pandemic, the 49 state flights of 2019 (Conte I government).
Within the same year, 2023, the ministers who took the most state flights were: Antonio Tajani (45) Adolfo Urso (25) Guido Crosetto (24) Matteo Piantedosi (15) Raffaele Fitto (11) Franceso Lollobrigida (9 ) Giancarlo Giorgetti (7) Matteo Salvini, Andrea Abodi and Annamaria Bernini (5) Giuseppe Valditara and Daniela Santanché (3) the other ministers took one or two.
Of these, many were not necessary and more sustainable alternatives existed both from an economic, environmental and image point of view.
In addition to the aforementioned Santanchè, the Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi also flew from Rome to Rimini (round trip) for a visit or, again, the Minister of Business Adolfo Urso, who made extensive internal use of it, from Rome to Verona , for example, to participate in the LetExpo logistics fair (which Antonio Tajani also participated in, but arriving on a different state flight).
On September 20, Minister Giuseppe Valditara requested a state flight to go to Reggio Calabria to visit a school in San Luca.
On 17 December, again, the Minister for Relations with Parliament Luca Ciriani flew to Crotone to participate in the demolition of the Mangeruca palace in Torre Melissa.
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