After declaring interest in buying up to 40% of ITA Airways, Lufthansa made a unique proposal together with MSC Group, from the maritime and tourism market, for the newest airline in Italy, ITA Airways.
Together, the two companies want to purchase a majority stake in ITA Airways, with a minority state stake in the airline, with no tie-breaking vote.
The of the contract between Lufthansa and the MSC Group will be decided during negotiations. It is thought that, in percentage , the German airline has the largest share in the business, with greater individual voting power.
As always, the total value of the negotiations was not disclosed. The bidders requested 90 days of exclusivity to work on the expression of interest.
“ITA Airways is pleased that the work carried out in recent months to offer the best perspectives to the company is beginning to bear the expected results, providing a company recognized as viable for partners with an international reputation in both the transport of engers and cargo”, said the statement.
The arrival of Lufthansa in control of the airline could also result in good profitability, something that ITA Airways, even with all the team change in relation to Alitalia, has not been able to achieve so far.
On the other hand, Lufthansa is interested in using Rome as another hub for operations in Europe, connecting Fiumicino with other airlines in the group in several countries.
ITA Airways has 3 of the 11.000 employees that were previously part of Alitalia. With aircraft from Alitalia, the company's fleet is composed exclusively by Airbus jets, 44 of which aircraft models A319, A320 and A330.
The company recently signed an agreement for the acquisition of dozens of modern A350-900, A330neo, A320neo and A220 aircraft.
