Ryanair is still interested in Alitalia, but the Irish are targeting only some of the company's assets. "It is probable" that the sale process will end "with a snack: we are interested in the fleet," said the CEO of the low-cost carrier, Michael O'Leary, during a press conference in London.
The Irish company has until October 2 to make a binding offer for all or part of the Italian carrier, which has been placed under special administration. "We will bid for 90 aircraft, with their pilots, cabin crew, routes, etc," O'Leary told reporters during a briefing in London, according to Bloomberg reports.
If the offer is accepted, the manager explained, Ryanair "will retain most of the staff, especially pilots and engineers". The branding will also be retained, O'Leary added.
The offer is subject, the manager confirmed, to the outcome of the ongoing restructuring, above all in terms of both labor costs and aircraft lease payments. “I think that one of the really interesting aspects of Alitalia – added the top manager – is the long-distance fleet. There is very strong growth potential.”
From Italy, however, the critical voice of the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dario Franceschini, rises: “Alitalia's stew would be a very serious mistake and I say this by reiterating the position repeatedly expressed by the government. Alitalia, beyond the ownership, is however the first piece of Italy that welcomes visitors arriving from all over the world: planes are in fact the first place to start appreciating food, cinema, art, beauty and Italian style. This is why Alitalia's stew would be a very serious mistake".
