[JohnHarper]

I have no doubt that Etihad can afford this by using up some loose change.

We live in interesting times!

[MarcusUK]

Etihad appear to be announcing a new route, or increase in frequency of existing routes every week just now!

[JohnHarper]

I think the way things are developing they are the most interesting of the Gulf Carriers. Hogan always was a sharp cookie.

[transtraxman]

Airwise/Reuters 23-4-14
“Union Offers To Enter Etihad-Alitalia Talks”

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1398298519.html

It appears that the unions are seeing the writing on the wall as Etihad hardens its stance.

CAPA 24-4-14
“Alitalia’s long-haul network and Etihad’s short-haul feed are enhanced with Etihad’s proposed stake”

http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/alitalias-long-haul-network-and-etihads-short-haul-feed-are-enhanced-with-etihads-proposed-stake-163923

Another interesting analysis by CAPA. This time they look at Alitalia & Etihad plus their relationship with Skyteam partners. “An Etihad role in Alitalia may be very welcomed by Air France-KLM. Delta will have its own views.”

Meanwhile the LCCs eat up the domestic market while the politicians dither.

[JohnHarper]

Very wise of Etihad to want all points resolved before proceeding and clearing out the dead wood.

What a pity Wee Willie didn’t do the same before hopping in to bed with Iberia. Still management has never been one of his strong points, in fact what are his strong points apart from bullying?

[MarcusUK]

Interesting that KLM’s Board flatly refused a further financial input into the failing Alitalia. In doing so, they wrote off a loss of €1 billion as a result, and reduced their 24% share holding to 11%!
This rather than put more money that just gets sucked away.

The in-road by the LCC;s is significant meanwhile, as indicated above.

However, with all the other investments and purchases of FFP’s by Eithad, surely everyone is seeing now a clear strategy going forward that they have. They are developing their own network of Airlines, quite apart from any Alliance, through investment, and Board influence, and purchases of FFP’s.
one small move here and there, adds up to a lot, from Australia right through to Europe. No other Airline is doing so!

[transtraxman]

@MarcusUK
I do not know where you get the percentage of 11% for AF/KLM´s shareholding in Alitalia.
The Airwise article specifically states, “Air France-KLM eventually allowed its 25 percent stake to be diluted to about 7 percent.”

[MarcusUK]

This 11 % was advised in the end of year bulletin from KLM corporate to Shareholders, and notified in the end of year account summary for 2013.
KLM wrote off € 1 Billion as a result.

Etihad also are a year into the 10 year co-operation and codeshare agreement with KLM / AF. there was a statement about brining together the FFP’s of each in some way, but no indication of this has happened.

Significant that Etihad are investing in purchasing FFP’s, and today’s announcement of the closer ties with SAA, and the promotion between them.
Such developments each week with Etihad, really quite a pace and broad ranging.

[Hippocampus]

And now Etihad is spending a further €300m on Air Berlin:

http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-28/etihad-bails-out-air-berlin-again-prior-to-deeper-revamp.html

Anyone totting up how much Etihad has spent and what it has got for it?

Etihad has clearly not executed the same level of discipline and oversight as IAG which insisted that Iberia’s restructuring had to be funded from its own financial resources.

[BigDog.]

Well Hippo, in the several years prior to eventual merger, can you please enlighten us as to what Walsh demanded and secured from IB before committing and merging? Etihad appear to have the nous and discipline to negotiate restructuring/cost cuts before and conditional upon making substantial investments – surely getting commitment upfront is better than merging then asking questions post fact having been attached to an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis.

[canucklad]

Hey Hippocampus & BigDog
An extra €300m…… Would appear to be chicken feed in the mad world of Gulf carrier economics!

http://www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/Etihad-and-its-plans.?page=4#last_post

[JohnHarper]

I don’t either think that Air Berlin is the basket case that Iberia was. Etihad and Hogan do however have their business process the right way round of due diligence and required changes implemented before money is spent whereas Walsh clearly has them the wrong way round.

Then again desperation to get a partner for BA probably made him throw caution to the wind, I’m sure he’s not always that stupid.

[transtraxman]

Further points in the Etihad – Alitalia saga….
“Alitalia, Creditors Working On Plan To Woo Etihad” (Airwise/Reuters 4-5-14)

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1399245239.html

This aricle tells of the latest developments. It suggests that the sides are inching towards an agreement with Etihad holding its ground on non-assumption of debt and the reduction in the workforce while the Italian government seems to be giving in little by little. “…..creditor banks do not look favourably on the prospect of creating a separate company to hold the bad debt, since this would likely expose them to greater losses.”

The second article in Airwise/Reuters (4-5-14)
“Etihad Buying Airline Stakes To Compete, Not Control”.

http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1399244781.html

… lays out Etihad´s arguments for its stakes in European airlines as not constituting irregular control over European airlines, as stated by CEO James Hogan. Take note that the article gives no mention to Etihad Regional /Darwin which would give a clearer picture of Etihad´s intentions.

The article also mentions the news about the new first class in their A380s with personal butler.
This was mentioned by BT 4-5-14
” Etihad unveils new seats”

http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/etihad-unveils-new–

This was also seen in Breaking Travel News, 4-5-14
“Etihad reveals new First Class product to redefine aviation luxury”

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/etihad-reveals-new-first-class-product-to-redefine-aviation-luxury/

So the bar has been raised for all those airlines promoting First Class.

[JohnHarper]

I think while the Alitalia workers may not like the EY proposals the question is, where else have they to go?

Sorting out Alitalia would be a huge feather in Hogan’s cap and all the more so for doing it before the takeover.

[IanFromHKG]

MarcusUK – 31/03/2014 23:31 GMT : Etihad certainly have First Suites which BA come nowhere near to, and do not have a Business class where you have to fly backwards with little privacy to the person next to you.

Actually, now EY do have a backwards-facing business class. At least you aren’t eyeball-to-eyeball with your neighbour!

[Author]

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