Who but Air France-KLM? This is the question that hangs over the fate of Alitalia. Waiting for the Franco-Dutch group to make a decision on the future of his participation in the Italian company, from today we have at least one certainty. Actually, two. Both negative: neither Lufthansa nor British Airways have any interest in the shabby company of our country.
“As the CEO of theInternational Airlines Group (which also includes Iberia, ed), British Airways does not see any interesting acquisition or merger possibilities at this time in Europe". A spokesman for the group reported it to Affaritaliani.it.
As for Lufthansa, “at the moment it is heavily involved in internal challenges – Martin Riecken, spokesman for the German company, explained to the same newspaper -, above all with the program that aims to guarantee greater efficiency. Therefore there is no interest in looking at other airlines, including Alitalia”.
Therefore, if Air France-KLM were to leave the negotiating table, the other two most important airline groups in Europe would not take its place. A prospect that at the moment does not seem to worry the Letta government: "Italy cannot play the Cinderella, it is a fundamental pillar of this alliance", said Maurizio Lupi, Minister of Transport, yesterday, underlining that, if Air France does not participate in the capital increase, the Executive will work "to identify other international alliances".
Massimo Sarmi, CEO of Poste Italiane – who will enter the capital with 75 million euros – is also convinced that the success of the Alitalia operation is linked to the possibility of finding an international partner of global significance: “I don't think Air France wants to throw the money spent so far – Sarmi would have said after the Alitalia board meeting on Friday – and therefore I believe that he will remain among the shareholders even with the capital increase. If he doesn't want to stay, someone else will be looked for: we will do our part, but a partner in the sector is essential for the success of the operation". At the cost of looking outside Europe.
