Air France KLM bids for Alitalia

Friday, 06 Dec, 2007 0

Air France KLM has made an offer for Alitalia and other airlines and investment groups are expected to follow suit.

In October, the Italian carrier identified six potential private bidders to buy the 49% share currently owned by the country’s government.

According to BCC reports, other possible bidders include Lufthansa, Aeroflot, Air One, private equity firm Texas Pacific, and a financial consortium.

Making the bid today, Air France KLM chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta said: “This major step in European consolidation would not only be beneficial for passengers but would also meet the requirements for the group’s economic and financial stability.”

The airline said a large number of European and intercontinental destinations would be proposed to and from Rome-Fiumicino Airport, which would become a hub.

Many medium and long-haul direct services would operate to and from Milan, with enhanced service and more early morning departures and evening return flights to better meet the needs of business customers.

Alitalia has been hit recently by increased costs, tighter competition and a series of strikes.

Its board is due to meet later today to discuss the bid.

Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.

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