Lufthansa share: Lufthansa is apparently still in the race to join Ita Airways

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The successor to the traditional company Alitalia said at the weekend: “Ita Airways is continuing the positive and constructive talks with Lufthansa.” The group from Frankfurt was chosen by the Italian Ministry of Finance – the current owner of Ita – as a possible partner “with the sole aim of achieving profitable development for the company”, as it was said.

According to a report in the newspaper “La Repubblica”, there could be a declaration of intent between the two sides in December or January – but this is not yet a binding contract.

At the beginning of the year, Lufthansa had already sought a takeover of Ita in a partnership with the shipping company MSC. After months of negotiations, the government of ex-Prime Minister Mario Draghi initially decided in favor of the offer from the US fund Certares. However, further talks with the Americans failed in the autumn, so that Lufthansa – from now on without MSC – was able to see the books of Ita Airways again.

According to media reports, managers of the Germans were in Rome for formal talks last week. A central topic of the negotiations is how many shares in Ita could go to Lufthansa and what say Rome has. According to reports, there may be a third partner in addition to Lufthansa and the Ministry of Finance: there is currently speculation about a comeback from MSC or an entry by the state railways.

For ideological reasons alone, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government is likely to strive to maintain its influence as much as possible. According to “Repubblica”, Rome primarily wants to ensure that Italian airports such as those in Rome, Milan or Catania continue to develop. Lufthansa had already stated that it could imagine Italy as a hub for intercontinental flights, for example for routes to Africa or South America. The report states that the sale should be sealed by June 2023.

Ita Airways also announced its plans for the next few months, which will include 1,200 employees – such as pilots and flight attendants

– are to be reset. In addition, the fleet of

currently 65 aircraft to be expanded to 104; According to the plan, 9 long-haul aircraft will be added next year. In this regard, the airline spoke of “excellent results” despite the international situation, for example because of the Ukraine war.

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ROM (dpa-AFX)

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