The runway for take-off of Alitalia – or at least the one for a not too traumatic landing – could have the features of a train station. It could indeed be state Railways the new savior of the homeland ready to join Alitalia in place of Air France.
The Government has allegedly asked FS to evaluate an intervention in the airline, which is in a liquidity crisis. A meeting between the government and the company is scheduled for today at Palazzo Chigi which will be preceded by a round of discussions with the CEO of the Ferrovie dello Stato group, Mauro Moretti.
Alitalia estimates the amount needed to convert to intercontinental routes at 300 million euros, but the need could reach half a billion euros.
The Fs would be willing to intervene, but the unprecedented axis between wings and tracks still raises some perplexities. The former president of the railways, Innocenzo Cipolletta, speaks of monopoly risk.
The Fs have gone from a 2,15 billion euro deficit in 2006 to over 500 million in assets that are looming for this year, with an Ebitda double that of the German railways.
Yet, the road from the chaotic commuter trains to the boarding gate – via high-speed – still feels surreal. But perhaps not for the government.
