Alitalia needs new money. After the 8-week postponement requested by FS to continue the negotiations with Atlantia and Delta and while Lufthansa tries to undermine the American competitor, yet another loan for the company was included in the tax decree approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday "subject to agreements" Italian: 350 million for six months at the end of which it is assumed - in the intentions of the government and commissioners - that the case will be resolved.
Of those 350 million the company needs to survive and continue to fly, after having practically exhausted the resources (900 million) already granted by the government and endorsed by Europe which, it is not known at this point, how it will accept the new payment of funds public. On the other hand, the need for new funds it had emerged as soon as it was understood that the deadline of October 15 to present a definitive proposal for a relaunch would not be respected.
Also for this past Wednesday, FS and Atlantia confirmed, with the press releases published at the end of the two boards of directors, their intention to continue the search for an agreement which still needs to define some essential points. Hence the request to be able to continue "up to eight weeks of negotiation before being able to present any binding offer". the request, which arrived to the commissioners on Wednesday, should receive a positive response from the government today, Thursday 17 October, even if Minister Patuelli could restrict the period: from two to just one month of extension.
At the point we have reached, everything seems to revolve around the role of Delta, the American carrier willing to enter the capital of Alitalia up to a maximum of 100 or perhaps 120 million (10-12% of the total capital). A share considered too low by the Benettons who are instead asking for a more substantial industrial plan to bring Atlantia into the company. As recalled, both FS and Atlantia (parent company of Aeroporti di Roma) should acquire a 35% stake and the Ministry of the Economy another 15%. the attempt would be to also raise Delta to 15%.
The pressing is underway just as Lufthansa has come forward again: after an initial commercial offer only, the German company could however review its position and enter the capital if it obtains guarantees on an industrial level. Signals have come from Cologne but above all from the talks that Harry Hohmeister, number two of the German carrier, had in Rome and which some newspapers report.
