Delta, Air France-KLM Express Interest in Alitalia’s Successor

An ITA Airways Airbus A320 with the new livery at Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport. (Photo: ITA Airways)

[ Featured ]March 11, 2022 3:41 am ET

By John Flett

According to ReutersDelta Air Lines and Air France-KLM are reportedly working with a third-party investor to secure a majority stake in Alitalia’s successor ITA Airways. Reuters reported that according to an unnamed Italian government official the parties had presented an expression of interest to the Italian government in the form of a letter. The Italian government has been seeking an equity partner for ITA Airways since the airline launched in October 2021 after the demise of Alitalia.

A partnership between the German Lufthansa Group and Swiss-based shipping organization MSC had confirmed in January that they were undertaking due diligence of the Italian airline. Reuters has also cited an article from the Italian news outlet La Repubblica that a further expression of interest was received from ‘another international fund which is already invested in low-cost carriers’. If the numbers add up for those expressing interest the news of further potential interested parties could set the scene for a bidding war.

ITA Airways was admitted to the SkyTeam alliance almost immediately after its inception as a replacement for Alitalia. Delta, Air France and KLM are all members of SkyTeam which makes the expression of interest in ITA Airways less of a surprise. None of the airlines has made any official or direct comment on this week’s report of the expression of interest in the Italian airline. A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines has stated: “Delta has a longstanding history with the former Alitalia and has created a partnership with ITA Airways which Delta is committed to strengthening.”

Last week the chief executive officer of Lufthansa Carsten Spohr outlined to investors that the German company would not be the majority stakeholder in ITA Airways but a ‘junior partner’ to the Swiss cruise company. Given the past financial woes of the Italian airline’s predecessor Mr. Spohr appears to have sought to allay the fears of shareholders. According to Reuters he stated, “We know what we are doing in Italy, no worry. I hear my shareholders – don’t worry we know there is a legacy.”

In his address Mr. Spohr advised that it was the Italian government that paired the German airline with the Italian owners of Swiss-based MSC. “The government linked us up with MSC, and they asked us for a blind date, and we fell in love,” he said. Reuters reported that the consortium could soon be given access to ITA Airways’ financial records. According to La Repubblica access to the financial documents will be made available once the Italian government appoints a financial advisor and a legal advisor. The two candidates for these advisory roles are expected to be finalized as early as this week.

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John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry.

During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team that created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, balancing a mix of corporate and social content.

John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a Masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. He has been the course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university and a member of Heathrow Community Trust’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

John is currently living in Canada and is contracted as an external instructor for aviation-related organizations.

Author

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John is currently the course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

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