Lufthansa’s plan for Ita is ready to take off. It will officially start on July 3rd when Brussels gives the green light to the wedding. For months, the Germans have been warming up their engines to prepare for the wedding and develop synergies, integrating routes and relaunching, at least on international routes, the glorious and iconic Alitalia brand, much appreciated in the USA. But the strong point, the truly innovative one, will be the green push to the fleet. With green fuels, with zero environmental impact, which will make the group’s planes fly – gradually. A true revolution. It began with Lufthansa’s entry into Synhelion, a Swiss startup that transforms solar energy into fuel, recycling carbon dioxide and combining it with solar radiation. A clean production that is already being used, on an experimental basis, on the aircraft of Swiss, an airline controlled by the German giant. And which, as Il Messaggero can anticipate, will be gradually extended to the fleet. Because synthetic fuel does not require modifications to the engines, nor other structural changes on the supply front. The green fuel, which Lufthansa hopes can revolutionize air transport, will also be destined for Ita once the alliance is signed.
The lines
While waiting for the final green light from the EU, the outlines of the alliance are taking shape, which, despite the sacrifices required, will be advantageous for the two companies. A Lufthansa document puts in black and white the areas of collaboration on routes, fuel, cargo and development of Fiumicino. The Roman airport will be the super hub, while the trajectory of the marriage foresees a greater presence on the rich North American market (thanks to the partner United); strong integration with Austrian, Brussels and Swiss (the carriers still German-owned); a strengthening in the transport of goods (also towards Asia and Hong Kong in particular) and savings, up to 20-30%, for fuel purchases through hedging contracts.
Not only that. Once the majority is acquired, Lufthansa will take Ita Airways out of the current international alliance with Sky Team, where Air France is also present. Therefore, within the path indicated by the EU Commission, code sharing agreements between Ita and all the other companies owned by Lufthansa will be favored, – code sharing agreements between Ita and Lufthansa’s North American allies (United and Air Canada) and the accumulation of points on Ita’s Volare loyalty card also thanks to flights on Lufthansa group carriers.
In concrete terms, an Ita passenger, with an Ita ticket, will be able to travel on other companies owned by Lufthansa, from Swiss to Brussels to the Italian Air Dolomiti and on allied carriers such as United and Air Canada, accumulating loyalty points on the Volare card, something that was not possible before with the Sky team alliance. At the end of September there were around one million Volare members.
The waivers
After the first positive EU orientation at a technical level obtained on 17 June, the operation also received the approval from the national authorities of the member countries. The agreement provides conditions to protect competition in the Milan-Linate airport and on short and long-haul routes, with the opening to rival companies on routes to the USA and Canada.
As announced in recent days, Lufthansa is ready to invest 325 million immediately, the first step of a larger operation that the company intends to acquire 90%, to progressively reach total control of Ita Airways through a total investment estimated at 829 million euros.
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