Luigi gubitosi is in the front row to become the new number one of Alitalia. Il Messaggero writes it, explaining that the Neapolitan manager could soon be nominated new CEO of the company in place of the Australian Cramer Ball – whose resignation is expected in the short term – or alternatively president with powers to replace Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who has indicated his intention to leave since November. Other indiscretions reported by the Republic and the Fatto Quotidiano, however, accredit the appointment of Gubitosi to the position of CEO.
Moreover, that of the former CFO of Fiat (of which he managed the 2002 billion convertible in 3), as well as the former head of Wind and former general manager of Rai, would be the name shared by the main Italian shareholders of Alitalia, i.e. Intesa Sanpaolo e Unicredit, and by the Minister of Economic Development, Carlo Calenda. The reason? Financial management skills.
The current Ad Ball, strongly desired by his compatriot James Hogan – the expiring president of Etihad Airways (which controls 49% of Alitalia) – has been in office for just a year, but due to the company's bad results, he would have been in the crosshairs of Intesa and Unicredit, which in Alitalia play the double role of creditors and shareholders (respectively with 20,5 and 12,9%).
According to some insiders, UAE management of Alitalia would have turned out to be even worse than those of the consortium of courageous captains of Roberto Colaninno (who in the meantime has resigned from the Board). There is talk of losses of 5-600 million euros in the 2016 budget and the return to profit, which Hogan had forecast for 2017, has instead been postponed to a later date.
Meanwhile, yesterday Graziano Delrio he said the government is waiting to see the Alitalia plan by 10 March: "The shareholders also told us yesterday evening that we are going in this direction - explained the Minister of Transport - let's take one step at a time, see the plan and when the Board of Directors approves it".
The plan, which should provide a drastic cost cut, aims to bring the company's accounts back into balance, which, according to press rumors, it would have liquidity for just over a month. Among the proposed interventions, a cut of 4 employees (half of whom are internal to Alitalia) and possible industrial agreements to separate low-cost activities from traditional ones. Among the names of possible partners, that of Lufthansa has returned to the press, which has always denied any interest so far.
In short, you walk a tightrope. And on the table of Palazzo Chigi the extreme choice of the commissioner.
