On 30 and 31 October 2025, an educational trip was held for students enrolled in the Road Design and Airport Infrastructure courses of the Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering at the Università Politecnica delle Marche. The initiative, organized by Professors Andrea Graziani and Gilda Ferrotti, involved 19 students and provided them with the opportunity to visit the Asphaltica World 2025 exhibition and conference, as well as the infrastructures of Bari-Palese Airport.
The first day was dedicated to visiting Asphaltica World 2025, hosted at the Fiera del Levante in Bari. For the students, this represented a particularly valuable learning opportunity, allowing direct interaction with leading Italian companies operating in the road construction and infrastructure sector. The event also offered the chance to attend technical and scientific workshops, with a specific focus on sustainability, technological innovation, and new solutions for the design, construction, and maintenance of road infrastructures.
The second day was devoted to a technical visit to Bari-Palese Airport. Thanks to the valuable support and guidance provided by the staff of the airport operator, Aeroporti di Puglia, the students were able to visit the passenger terminal and the main airside infrastructures. Particular attention was given to airport safety management systems, with a specific focus on activities aimed at preventing the risk of bird strikes and wildlife hazards, also illustrated through the use of natural methods such as falconry.
With the support and cooperation of the local ENAV office, it was also possible to visit the control tower. The on-duty personnel illustrated to the students the main characteristics of airport air traffic, the operation of air traffic control systems, and the roles and responsibilities of Air Traffic Controllers, providing a concrete and highly educational overview of a complex operational environment.
Overall, the educational trip represented an important experience, enabling students to integrate the theoretical knowledge acquired during their university studies with real world applications, and strengthening the link between teaching, research, and professional practice.