Comments on: Lufthansa Italia Tries to Add Pressure as Alitalia Receives EU Approval

By: jim

jim — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:56:56 +0000

who buys the Conertible debt ?

By: Fausto

Fausto — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:26:47 +0000

I am an Italian born American citizen (since 1972), living in Chicago area.
I can only think of one thing that is funnier, sadder, and a more tragic story than Alitalia’s demise (It was very good in 1970s to mid 80s! on my visits back to Italia). That is the government of the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago over the past 2 years. I do not think that the most brilliant comedy writers in the world could possibly conceive stories as these which have unfolded since 2007 ! I cannot wait to see what happens next!

As for Alitalia, I have not flow it since 1990 even though I went to Itlay 4 times since then. They flew may elderly parents in 1990 to New York instead of Chicago, saying not enough people to Chicago even though was suppose to be direct flight Milan – Chicago and Alitalia rerouted a few minutes before the flight.
.
Parents had to go to Kennedy airport and walk massive airport late at night to barely make a connecting flight. They told me never fly Alitalia again and I have and will not. Never forgot how rude and arrogant US Alitalia agent was.

Arriverderci Alitalia!!! Faliete!!

By: Sara in MSP

Sara in MSP — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:04:22 +0000

I’d just like to say, bravo. I know that the Aitalia fodder to you is like politics as a topic for late night show hosts, but I wanted to you to know, this whole post really did make me crack up. I’m a bit late to the party (been out of commission and away from the dear Crackberry), but I was just in awe about it all. Being married to an Italian, it just makes me shake my head and laugh. Oh those crazy Italians! You should definetely do the Benny Hill viral video. I know I’d be heartily entertained!

By: Dan’s Saturday Links #22 « Aviation Buzz

Dan’s Saturday Links #22 « Aviation Buzz — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:49:22 +0000

[...] has an update on the Alitalia [...]

By: David

David — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:46:58 +0000

“Und zoon ze dreem vill bee kompleet !” (Intended as VERY toungue-in-cheek !)

By: CF

CF — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:13:04 +0000

David – I suppose we’ll find out as time goes by, but I would think that they’d still be interested in Rome, even if it’s a smaller presence. As you say, Italy is very important for LH, especially considering its proximity to its Munich hub. There’s no question in my mind that these guys want to own all of Europe.

By: David

David — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:48:01 +0000

CF – I read somewhere that Italy is one of LH’s most important country markets. In any case, they already own 99.9% (or maybe 100%) of Air Dolomiti who provide a lot of feeder traffic from N. Italy to FRA + MUC. The money is in Milan and surrounding areas, the Govt is in Rome. The largest carrier at Milan-Malpensa is currently easyJet. There are far too many rich pickings for LH to be had in Milan to think about expanding further south. Why would LH want to go head-to-head against AF (who would essentially have their own large hub) from Rome on lower yield markets ? Things like OS, SN, BD and possibly SK and LO will keep LH busy for a long time

By: CF

CF — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:10:48 +0000

Yes, good point Roger in LB. This is Milan-focused and Alitalia has been pulling back there in favor of Rome. But I still have to think that if Alitalia chooses to go with Air France that Lufthansa will keep marching south. This says to me that they take Italy very seriously as an important place for them. Don’t you think?

By: Roger in LB

Roger in LB — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:44:59 +0000

I think that part of the reason that Lufthansa is starting their new Italian airline is to have it focus on Milan as a hub. Alitalia is going to scale way back it’s service to Milan and basically keep Rome as its main hub now, isn’t it? Lufthansa does a lot of business in northern Italy.

By: DRG

DRG — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:39:41 +0000

Meanwhile Bolivia is starting a government-owned airline and Argentina is nationalizing Aerolineas Argentinas all while LAN overs a private alternative.