Ryanair 'could take over' at Alitalia

BTN News
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Irish budget airline Ryanair is interested in taking a stake in Italy's Alitalia - but only if administrators of the failed carrier complete four key reform steps.
Ryanair ceo Michael O'Leary also said it would want "a majority stake, we are not interested in a 49 per cent stake".
 
Alitalia went into administration at the start of May, moving the loss-making airline a step closer to liquidation while efforts continue to find a buyer.
 
About 18 companies expressing an interest in a potential purchase have been given access to the company's figures, including Delta Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Easyjet and Ryanair, according to reports.
 
O'Leary said the administrators "would need to make four big changes, starting with tearing up the agreement with Air France that prevents it from developing long haul flights" in key markets such as North America.
 
They would also need to "restructure airport agreements, bring down some aircraft leasing costs and impose job cuts.
 
"Last year Alitalia carried 24 million customers and had 14,000 staff. We carried 120 million with 12,000 staff," he said. "The unions have to face up to reality."
 
Even if Ryanair does not buy Alitalia, it is willing to take over the bankrupt carrier's short-haul business while also selling its long-haul flights on the Ryanair web site.

Ryanair 'could take over' at Alitalia

BTN News
Thursday, 29 June 2017
Irish budget airline Ryanair is interested in taking a stake in Italy's Alitalia - but only if administrators of the failed carrier complete four key reform steps.
Ryanair ceo Michael O'Leary also said it would want "a majority stake, we are not interested in a 49 per cent stake".
 
Alitalia went into administration at the start of May, moving the loss-making airline a step closer to liquidation while efforts continue to find a buyer.
 
About 18 companies expressing an interest in a potential purchase have been given access to the company's figures, including Delta Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Easyjet and Ryanair, according to reports.
 
O'Leary said the administrators "would need to make four big changes, starting with tearing up the agreement with Air France that prevents it from developing long haul flights" in key markets such as North America.
 
They would also need to "restructure airport agreements, bring down some aircraft leasing costs and impose job cuts.
 
"Last year Alitalia carried 24 million customers and had 14,000 staff. We carried 120 million with 12,000 staff," he said. "The unions have to face up to reality."
 
Even if Ryanair does not buy Alitalia, it is willing to take over the bankrupt carrier's short-haul business while also selling its long-haul flights on the Ryanair web site.