Two important innovations for Nuova Alitalia: the partners of Ferrovie dello Stato in the newco will be - if the negotiations are successful - the Americans of Delta Airlines and the British of easyJet but the State will also be able to enter the capital through the Mef (Ministry of the Economy and Finance) which will convert part of the loan of 900 million previously granted to the airline.
This is what emerged from yesterday which marks a watershed in the tiring negotiations for the rescue and relaunch of Alitalia, after a summit at Palazzo Chigi between Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, Deputy Prime Minister Di Maio and Minister Tria and after new contacts between the State Railways and potential partners during which the Anglo-Saxon consortium was preferred to that of Lufthansa.
The details of the business plan and corporate structure will be defined later but, as far as is known, the Italian shareholders – represented by the Mef, Ferrovie dello Stato and presumably Cassa depositi e prestiti – should hold 51% of New Alitalia while Delta and low-cost airline easyJet should acquire 20% shares each.
The company's relaunch scheme envisages two operational centers (one in Malpensa, led by Delta) and one in Fiumicino (managed by easyJet) and a strategic management in Rome in which the leading role will be assumed by Ferrovie dello Stato, which should have a shareholding around 35%.
Essential, especially for the Government, will be the reduction of redundancies which should amount to 2 or 3 thousand, to be managed through social safety nets.
