Lufthansa calls on EU to block Etihad-Alitalia tie-up
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#17
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The Italian transport minister (Mr. Lupi) has replied to Lufthansa by saying that "Lufthansa is Afraid":
LUPI: «LUFTHANSA HA PAURA». Immediata.....
He also says in the same interview that "Lufthansa wants to slow Italy down" and in addition "«Capiamo il fastidio di Lufthansa nel veder crescere un concorrente a livello europeo e mondiale, ma non possiamo accettare che si usi l'Europa per impedire che l'Italia giochi il suo ruolo in un settore strategico per il nostro Paese»." which roughly means "We understand that it is very difficult/annoying for Lufthansa to see us (Alitalia) wanting to develop into a competitor at the european and global level, but we cannot accept them using the EU to block Italy in playing their role in a strategic sector for our country".
http://www.lettera43.it/economia/azi...3675121406.htm
#18
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Hopefully no one ends up going bankrupt.
The Italian transport minister (Mr. Lupi) has replied to Lufthansa by saying that "Lufthansa is Afraid":
LUPI: «LUFTHANSA HA PAURA». Immediata.....
He also says in the same interview that "Lufthansa wants to slow Italy down" and in addition "«Capiamo il fastidio di Lufthansa nel veder crescere un concorrente a livello europeo e mondiale, ma non possiamo accettare che si usi l'Europa per impedire che l'Italia giochi il suo ruolo in un settore strategico per il nostro Paese»." which roughly means "We understand that it is very difficult/annoying for Lufthansa to see us (Alitalia) wanting to develop into a competitor at the european and global level, but we cannot accept them using the EU to block Italy in playing their role in a strategic sector for our country".
http://www.lettera43.it/economia/azi...3675121406.htm
The Italian transport minister (Mr. Lupi) has replied to Lufthansa by saying that "Lufthansa is Afraid":
LUPI: «LUFTHANSA HA PAURA». Immediata.....
He also says in the same interview that "Lufthansa wants to slow Italy down" and in addition "«Capiamo il fastidio di Lufthansa nel veder crescere un concorrente a livello europeo e mondiale, ma non possiamo accettare che si usi l'Europa per impedire che l'Italia giochi il suo ruolo in un settore strategico per il nostro Paese»." which roughly means "We understand that it is very difficult/annoying for Lufthansa to see us (Alitalia) wanting to develop into a competitor at the european and global level, but we cannot accept them using the EU to block Italy in playing their role in a strategic sector for our country".
http://www.lettera43.it/economia/azi...3675121406.htm
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And from a Reuters interview with Mr. Lupi (transport minister, Italia):
Italian transport minister Maurizio Lupi brushed off Lufthansa's criticism.
"Lufthansa's worries about a deal with Etihad just confirm that Alitalia is on the right track," Lupi said in a statement. "State aid? Flouting of competition rules? It rather seems that Lufthansa is the one that is afraid of competition."
I think IAG has a better idea:
International Airlines Group declined to comment on Monday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...A120SO20140203
Italian transport minister Maurizio Lupi brushed off Lufthansa's criticism.
"Lufthansa's worries about a deal with Etihad just confirm that Alitalia is on the right track," Lupi said in a statement. "State aid? Flouting of competition rules? It rather seems that Lufthansa is the one that is afraid of competition."
I think IAG has a better idea:
International Airlines Group declined to comment on Monday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...A120SO20140203
#20
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"We understand that it is very difficult/annoying for Lufthansa to see us (Alitalia) wanting to develop into a competitor at the european and global level, but we cannot accept them using the EU to block Italy in playing their role in a strategic sector for our country".
#21
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I doubt it... What they are giving to AZ is less than what ADNOC earns a day. As long as crude stays at this level they can contribute quite a bit to global airline employment...
#22
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There were some nice comments on the radio today with one industry "expert" citing that Easyjet has twice as many places and 55% less staff in Italy. Now they are talking about the creation of an "adequate business plan" which in itself makes my head spin.
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Correct. The initial investment is a recapitalization of the company for 300 mio EUR which is hardly going to disrupt European aviation.
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Another update from Reuters:
Lufthansa added that Europe's policy makers should stop burdening the region's own airlines with measures such as emissions trading, passenger taxes and night flight bans and focus on ensuring a fair global framework.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/0...0L82UT20140203
Lufthansa added that Europe's policy makers should stop burdening the region's own airlines with measures such as emissions trading, passenger taxes and night flight bans and focus on ensuring a fair global framework.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/0...0L82UT20140203
#25
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Their model works (still respecting their FFers), so they don't need to comment, as they are making money...
#26
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Just this morning I wrote in my exam about Lufthansa's management having nightmares about the Gulf troika - and now I see this piece of news
By the way, I support Lufthansa for quite selfish reasons - an EY-managed AZ would take focus and capital away from the fledgling Air Serbia, which I would like to succeed. Other than that, total hypocrisy and panic. If I were Italian, I'd be patting myself on the back.
By the way, I support Lufthansa for quite selfish reasons - an EY-managed AZ would take focus and capital away from the fledgling Air Serbia, which I would like to succeed. Other than that, total hypocrisy and panic. If I were Italian, I'd be patting myself on the back.
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In which case this should keep you rolling (with quotes from Enrico Letta- Prime Minister of Italy who is currently in Abu Dhabi to discuss this very topic):
We are very much flexible in the discussions because we know we can trust Alitalia and Etihad. They know the business," Letta said when asked if a deal could lead to a change in Alitalia's management.
'IMPORTANT STEP'
Alitalia Chief Executive Gabriele Del Torchio described Sunday's announcement as "an important step in creating a solid and competitive Alitalia".
The head of Italy's main employers' lobby Confindustria also welcomed the news. "A strategic alliance with a strong group that is willing to invest and doesn't sideline our country is a positive development," Giorgio Squinzi said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0L709020140202
and meanwhile
"The European Commission, which is already looking at whether an investment by the state-owned Italian postal service in Alitalia contravenes its state aid rules, did not immediately respond to requests for comment."
We are very much flexible in the discussions because we know we can trust Alitalia and Etihad. They know the business," Letta said when asked if a deal could lead to a change in Alitalia's management.
'IMPORTANT STEP'
Alitalia Chief Executive Gabriele Del Torchio described Sunday's announcement as "an important step in creating a solid and competitive Alitalia".
The head of Italy's main employers' lobby Confindustria also welcomed the news. "A strategic alliance with a strong group that is willing to invest and doesn't sideline our country is a positive development," Giorgio Squinzi said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0L709020140202
and meanwhile
"The European Commission, which is already looking at whether an investment by the state-owned Italian postal service in Alitalia contravenes its state aid rules, did not immediately respond to requests for comment."
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In which case this should keep you rolling (with quotes from Enrico Letta- Prime Minister of Italy who is currently in Abu Dhabi to discuss this very topic):
[I]We are very much flexible in the discussions because we know we can trust Alitalia and Etihad. They know the business," Letta said when asked if a deal could lead to a change in Alitalia's management.
[I]We are very much flexible in the discussions because we know we can trust Alitalia and Etihad. They know the business," Letta said when asked if a deal could lead to a change in Alitalia's management.
One has to be careful here, this is a delicate issue.
I just picture Emirates in this situation. Since years, they are one of the leaders in the movement critisizing Alitalia complaining both in Italy and Brussels about the treatment they receive. Unfortunately, without a lot of help from Abu Dhabi EK, more or less all of Dubai, would be gone, too.
So they cannot really fire at any side, aside from a lame duck attack against Lufty for the Beamtenzulage in 1995.
#29
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Brussels is still pi$$ed anyway, due to the Euro 3 airport fee per pax (the Save AZ law), which was signed into law in 2008
#30
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"no lezioni dai tedeschi su concorrenza e regole Ue"
"We don't need any lessons from the Germans on competition regulation in the EU"
and
"si sono mossi come colonizzatori e non come liberi competitors"
"They who have behaved like colonizers and not as free market competitors"
From the president of the transportation commission (Michele Meta- PD) of Italy this evening.
http://www.asca.it/news-Alitalia__Me...60825-POL.html
This will surely bring out the best in everyone