Airlines Lufthansa is interested in establishing a “New Alitalia”

A long tradition was announced to end on May 02, 2017. Alitalia filed for bankruptcy. Almost exactly 68 years ago, on May 05, 1949, Alitalia-Aereolinee Italaliane (in its later stage known as Alitalia) operated its first domestic flight from Turin over Rome to Catania with a Flat G-12.

The German Flag Carrier Lufthansa now stated interested in parts of Alitalia. Lufthansa said in the press release, it will not make an offer for the complete carrier but for parts of the airline. Although the flight plan should be continued uninterrupted until 2018, there are already concepts for a “new Alitalia”. The offer from Lufthansa includes a concept for newly structures with a focus on a business model, which could develop long-term economic prospects.

Lufthansa could be interested in an integration of parts of Alitalia into its low cost subsidiary Eurowings. Eurowings will become Europe’s third largest low cost carrier after the completed integration of Air Berlin and an additional integration of the Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airline.

In addition to Lufthansa, there are other interested parties. Similar to the insolvency of Air Berlin, Easyjet could be interested in parts of Alitalia. Ryanair had announced the end of negotiations with Alitalia in September.

It has been a very difficult year for the European Aviation so far. The Gulf carrier Etihad and shareholder has ended its financial support for Alitalia and Air Berlin in 2017, which resulted in the insolvency of both carriers.

Alitalia operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft from its main hubs in Rome Fiumcino Airport and Mailand Linate Airport. The carrier is operating a fleet with Boeing 777 and Airbus 330 on long-haul flights and Airbus 319, 320 and 321 on medium haul flights. For its regional fleet, Alitalia has chosen the Brazilian Embraer E195 and E175 aircraft.