[transtraxman]

This is not the only example, but one of many, concerning the fact that the National Governments in the EU are blatantly ignoring the rules and regulations about unfair competition. On this forum thread (post 993627) on 16-3-20 I pointed out that this would happen. National interests of employment will always supersede European competition interests. Of course, this only applies to the governments with the greatest leverage – wealth of the nation, size of the workforce affected, prestige and extension/reach of the airline, and the basic question being if the country is a net contributor to the European coffers or one that has to go “cap in hand”. SHAME!!
“Alitalia To Receive Another €3 Billion As 6000+ Staff Furloughed”, (Simple Flying 7-5-20)

Alitalia To Receive Another €3 Billion As 6000+ Staff Furloughed

1 user thanked author for this post.

alainboy56

[transtraxman]

The new Italian airline was founded on 9th October 2020 and will take over the assets of Alitalia. The launch date of the “Newco” has not been announced as yet, however, “Local media are reporting that the new government-owned airline will take off in early 2021.”That means we are actually seeing the last days of the once great Alitalia. After many false funerals the airline is finally giving up the ghost.That means we are actually seeing the last days of the once great Alitalia. After many false funerals the airline is finally giving up the ghost.
“Italy Prepares For A New Flag Carrier To Succeed Alitalia,” (Simple Flying 11 October 2020)

Italy Prepares For A New Flag Carrier To Succeed Alitalia

“Alitalia inches closer to relaunch in Italy”, (Breaking Travel News 13 October 2020)

https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/alitalia-inches-closer-to-relaunch-in-italy/

“How the new Italia Trasporto Aereo SpA will replace the current Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana”: (World Airline News 12 October 2020)

How the new Italia Trasporto Aereo SpA will replace the current Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana

[transtraxman]

“Alitalia: Agreement with EU Commission Reached”, (Airways Magazine, 10 April 2021)

It seems that the Alitalia saga is on the home stretch. This article makes for interesting reading. It sets out most of the conditions for setting up the NEWCO-ITA to become Alitalias´s replacement as national carrier/champion. The conditions are quite stringent so will kick up a lot of dust in Italy. Expect the vociferous unions to make a meal of this. Then we will see if the Italian government can soften the blow or the EU Commission can impose some respect of law on the whole process.
This will certainly be a bench marker in its treatment of other “national carriers”, especially Air France by the EU Commission. Can it make its decisions be respected?
There is a rush to sort out what to do with Alitalia, because the “money making” summer period is near.

Alitalia: Agreement with EU Commission Reached

[transtraxman]

Alitalia employees have not been paid for April as the €50 million latest payout has not been transferred to the airline. The summer launch is in doubt.
“Alitalia and successor ITA face “tragic” situation – CEO”, (ch-aviation, 28-4-21)

https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/103075-alitalia-and-successor-ita-face-tragic-situation-ceo

[cwoodward]

So Italian!
Another pending disaster for sure…. but is rather difficult not to love them !

[transtraxman]

“European Commission approves (yet another) €12.835 million Italian aid measure to compensate Alitalia for damages due to coronavirus”, (Aviation24.be 13-05-21)

http://www.businesstraveller.com/forums/topic/alitalia-continues-to-operate-for-now/page/13/

Is any comment necessary?

1 user thanked author for this post.

alainboy56

[transtraxman]

“EU Grants Alitalia With €12.8m In Additional State Aid”, (Simple Flying 14-05-21)

EU Grants Alitalia With €12.8m In Additional State Aid

The comments made after the article are worth reading as well.

2 users thanked author for this post.

alainboy56, Jacob

[cwoodward]

Just so very EU……………. game set and match to the Italians by 3 sets !to love.

[transtraxman]

“New Italian National Airline ‘ITA’ Set To Have 55-60 Aircraft”, (Simple Flying 26-5-21)

New Italian National Airline ‘ITA’ Set To Have 55-60 Aircraft

Up to 5000 employees and 60 aircraft seem to be the basic points of agreement between the Italians and the EU. It should be pointed out that Alitalia at the moment only uses 45 aircraft so present operations would not be restricted. Alitalia only owns 11 aircraft outright so ITA could well take these over and complement the rest from lessors. For long range it has 5 B777 while for mid-short range it has 6 A319/320/321. The complete separation of ITA (Italia Trasporto Aereo) from Alitalia seems to be agreed though no mention is given about the reduction of slots at Milan (Linate) which still seems to be a major sticking point.

Another point being looked at is which partner to join with. The article gives us the impression that both AirFrance/KLM and Lufthansa are in “talks”, with the German group ahead in the betting. With regard to the North Atlantic mention is given to both Delta and United with the former in pole position. What the article does not define is the meaning of partnership. I suppose that this means anything from codesharing flights to shareholdings in ITAL. These non-specific points might well end up being nothing more than smokescreens. It has to be remembered that Lufthansa is in Star Alliance while Delta is in Skyteam. It is, therefore, illogical for the airline (ITA) to have a foot in both alliances at the same time, especially so, when it is starting up and fighting to make its mark.

PS. Why do they want to call the airline ITA when ITAL would illustrate its roots better?

[cwoodward]

Any bets on how much the losses will be over say the first 5 years

[transtraxman]

“Green light from the EU for the launch of Alitalia’s successor ITA”, (aviation24.be 16-07-21)

Green light from the EU for the launch of Alitalia’s successor ITA

The main sticking point previously between ITAL and the European Commission was the question of slots at the airports. Now that seems to have been overcome with ITAL to get 85% of Alitalia´s previous number at Milan Linate, while at Rome Fiumicino ITAL will get 43% of Alitalia´s former slots. This latter is quite a reduction.
ITAL will start with 52 aircraft including 7 long-haul which could double to 105 by 2025 including 23 long-haul.

[cwoodward]

So the process is still the corrupted normal EU one then ?

2 users thanked author for this post.

alainboy56, A300B4

[transtraxman]

“New Italian carrier ITA set to launch operations in October”, (Routes Online, 20-8-21)
The airline has received its air operator’s certificate under the EU insistence that there is no continuity between it and its predecessor Alitalia.
The successor to Alitalia will begin flying with 52 aircraft in its fleet which will increase to 78 in 2022 and 105 in 2025.
So it looks like Alitalia is finally being put down as ITA is being born.

https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/296585/new-italian-carrier-ita-set-to-launch-operations-in-october/

“Italy Up For Grabs For US Airlines With Alitalia’s Impending Demise,” (Simple Flying, 24-8-21)
Though this article focuses on US airlines and the opportunities opening up for them. It should not be forgotten that the same applies to other European airlines. ITA will play up its role as flag carrier for Italy and try and protect the markets it is in and wants to enter. What is not clear is the outcome of its previous relationships with the Skyteam alliance members. Will ITA join Skyteam? or will it look for other partnerships outside the alliance? Time will tell.

Italy Up For Grabs For US Airlines With Alitalia’s Impending Demise

[AMcWhirter]

Important alert from Alitalia today.

From midnight 25/8 Alitalia will no longer sell tickets for flights from 15/10. It will be possible to rebook the flight within 14/10 or request a full refund. Soon a direct communication will be sent to all customers with further instructions. More info https://t.co/TqC0Gt8iIW pic.twitter.com/DT7jMi4bqJ

— Alitalia (@Alitalia) August 24, 2021

[alainboy56]

Who actually cares about this airline.
I have commented many times here and elsewhere about AZ

Its ineptly managed, operated by cabin crew who really couldn’t care less about their clients/pax and just a complete waste of taxpayers money.
Its been propped up by the Italian Government in Rome for in the main Roman citizens (whose unions hold the politicians to ransom) for many, many decades.

I have lived and worked in Italy for many, many years and still have good Italian friends like family there, and businessmen do NOT fly by Alitalia or ITA or whatever they wish to be called. They will take BA (or used to before Mr Cruz completely destroyed any semblance of British history, reputation and tradition – but what would anyone expect from a Spaniard whose previous role was with LCC outfit Vueling) via LHR, LH via MUC/FRA or to the States, EK out of MXP rather than fly with one of the worst and unreliable airlines in Europe. They are ashamed of it, but as always, mutter the time honoured phrase oft used in Italy which means to accept what it is, is what it is with a sigh …………. “Siamo in Italia”

I do remember they had such a bad reputation out of DXB to FCO many years ago that nobody would fly with them, so they stopped operating mainline MD-11s and leased British operated B767-300s with Aussie cabin crew. It was much better, but didn’t do anything for the Italian reputation and that route was stopped perhaps a year or so later. They didn’t re-emerge in the UAE until perhaps 10 years ago when the ‘Fairy Godmother’ in the shape of Etihad Airways came along and ‘gifted them’ USD500 million, of course none of it ever to be seen again — what an absolute fool that CEO James Hogan was – such a complete inept and useless CEO if ever there was one. I’m sure EY would have had lost less money and standing in the airline world if they had had ‘Paul Hogan’ at the helm!

Anyway to paraphrase a famous tennis player’s rant many, many years ago at Wimbledon “They really are the PITS”!

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cwoodward

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