Proposals to overcome the objections raised by Brussels regarding the privatization of the national carrier ITA Airways have been sent to the European Competition Commission, according to what the German Lufthansa Group has announced in recent hours. The technicians led by Margrethe Vestager will decide by the end of June 2024 whether the remedies are such as not to create monopolies or disturbances in the European passenger air transport market.

"We have developed a comprehensive and constructive solution to address the competition concerns raised by the authority on the affected routes and the situation at Milan-Linate airport. At the same time, the concept is compatible with the economic reality of the Italian aviation market , highly competitive", explain the German air carrier.

"The Lufthansa Group -they add- remains confident that the European Commission will approve the agreed participation in ITA Airways and that the Italian airline can therefore become part of the Lufthansa family by the end of this year". The remedies proposed by the Germans concern the transfer of airport slots and air connections (in Europe and intercontinental).

Although the president of ITA Airways, Antonino Turicchi, and the CEO of Lufthansa, Carsten Spohr, believe that Brussels will give its green light, and that there is no plan B, some industry experts are evaluating multiple scenarios: in the event of Lufthansa's forfeit, a consortium formed by the US company Delta Air Lines and the Italian-Swiss shipowner MSC could take over. Two companies that have already shown interest in the operation. 

On the topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.