By Francesca Landini, Angelo Amante and Giuseppe Fo
By Francesca Landini, Angelo Amante and Giuseppe Fonte
MILAN, March 26 (Reuters) – Talks between the European Union and Italy on a restructuring plan for Alitalia face a stumbling block because the European Fee calls for the service hand over a major variety of airport slots, three sources near the matter stated.
Brussels and Rome have been in talks for the reason that starting of this yr over Italy’s plan to restructure the ailing airline by means of the launch of a brand new, state-owned firm referred to as ITA.
Beneath Rome’s plan, ITA ought to take over the model, the slots and a part of the belongings of the previous service to begin flying with a small fleet earlier than the summer time.
Nonetheless, the nationalisation and injection of three billion euros ($3.53 billion) in taxpayers’ cash into the brand new service want EU clearance, and an extra delay in talks between Rome and Brussels might put in danger the Italian service’s summer time season.
“That is the place the issue lies, in (Milan metropolis airport) Linate’s slots,” one supply with data of the matter advised Reuters.
One other supply stated the Fee is demanding a major discount within the slots that Alitalia would switch to ITA, and stated the ITA marketing strategy has not been cleared but by Brussels.
The European Fee declined to remark.
After assembly the EU competitors chief Margrethe Vestager, the Italian ministers concerned in Alitalia’s nationalisation reiterated a pledge to arrange “a strong, sustainable and impartial service,” they stated in a press release.
The brand new airline ought to have the ability to “begin operations as quickly as doable in discontinuity with the previous Alitalia,” the ministers stated, including a brand new assembly with Vestager would happen within the subsequent few days.
ITA has till now rejected the concept of giving up slots at Milan metropolis airport Linate, the place Alitalia operated greater than 50% of whole slots earlier than the pandemic hit.
Ryanair RYA.I is serious about collaborating in a young to purchase slots at Milan Linate airport and Rome Fiumicino airports if Alitalia places them on the block, the Irish service stated in January.
Germany’s Lufthansa LHAG.DE, in return for a 9 billion euro bailout final yr, reluctantly gave up 24 slots at every of its important hubs, Frankfurt and Munich.
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(Reporting by Francesca Landini; Extra reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels Modifying by Susan Fenton and Richard Chang)
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