Italian Economy Minister Daniele Franco has stated that the country hopes to “close by the end of the month the negotiations with the European Commission for the relaunch of the Italian national airline Alitalia.”
Speaking during a hearing at the Italian parliament on June 7, Franco said that the industrial plan for the new company Ita – which will be entirely publicly owned – will enable the airline to be “competitive in discontinuity with the old Alitalia”, adding that it would involve a “difficult transition of the various assets of Alitalia, but some will switch to Ita with auctions”.
“We hope that the brand must pass and can pass through the new company. We will have a transition phase and we are trying to ensure that the summer season won’t be compromised,” he added.