AirFrance/KLM buying majority of Alitalia

[whatkindoffreshhell]

Updated December 12, 2007 9:49:36 AM

Bruce Barnard / The JOURNAL of COMMERCE ONLINE

Air France-KLM is set to significantly narrow the gap with Europe’s top airfreight carrier, Lufthansa, today as it remains the firm favorite to take control of Alitalia, Italy’s ailing national carrier.

The Italian government is expected to decide Wednesday night whether to sell its 49.9-percent stake in Alitalia for a nominal sum to either Air France-KLM, the world’s biggest airline by revenue, or Air One, a privately-held Italian budget carrier.


In Europe they are giving away airlines....but here in the USofA 'ol Glenn & Jake still need a dose of viagara

 

[JFK777]

Alitalia is how NOT to run an airline. AF should keep ALitalia's 777 flights to the USA, Japan, Argentina and Brazil but trim the 767 flights. While the hub in Rome is too far south, MXP needs links to important business centers in the USA and Asia. Milan needs to be an important part of whatever AF plan since through Linate airport other European airlines pluck italy's best corportae customers.

 

[whatkindoffreshhell]

Alitalia board chooses Air France KLM
Monday December 24, 2007
Air France KLM's nonbinding bid for Alitalia received unanimous approval from the Italian airline's board Friday, setting up an intriguing debate next month when the government will have to decide whether to turn over ownership and management of its flag carrier to a foreign company.

Alitalia said the AF KLM plan calls for €6.5 billion ($9.33 billion) in long-term investment (including a €750 million capital increase), a level of job cuts consistent with its own turnaround plan, long- and short/medium-haul fleet renewal, "major upgrades" in cabins and inflight services, emphasis of Rome Fiumicino as AZ's principal hub and "the preservation of an adequate coverage of the Italian market and an appropriate level of service offered at national, international and intercontinental levels alike."
by Brian Straus



The euros are actually doing the deed! Congratulations! I really thought the Italian gov't would go for the underdog Air One.