EEA remembers Michele Fontana on 1st anniversary of Milan air crash

European Environment Agency staff today held a special meeting of remembrance for Michele Fontana, an Italian colleague killed in the air accident at Milan’s Linate airport one year ago.

Michele, an environmental economist at the Agency, was one of the 118 victims of the crash of SAS flight SK 686 to Copenhagen on 8 October 2001. He was 35. Michele is survived by his partner, Chiara, and their two young sons, Leonardo and Martino.

Today’s remembrance gathering was held in the Fontana Room, a main EEA meeting room renamed in Michele’s memory shortly after his death. A minute’s silence was observed.

The meeting was led by Gordon McInnes, EEA Interim Executive Director, who announced that the Agency had placed memorial notices in two Italian newspapers today and was preparing a memorial plaque for the Fontana Room.

Staff were informed that Michele’s family, friends and former colleagues in Italy have set up an association in his memory to promote studies in sustainable economic growth and the environment, his main field of professional interest.

It was also announced that EEA staff have donated a total of almost 100,000 Danish crowns (almost 13,500 Euros) to support Chiara and their children.