Brussels, 19/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Commission stated last Friday that Eight airlines had written to the European Commissioner for Transport, Loyola de Palacio, to request a probe into the Alitalia. In a letter initiated by British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Austrian Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Finnair, Tap Air Portugal and Hapag Lloys Flug, the companies explain that the plan does not respect commitments made last July by the Italian authorities.
The airlines are afraid of a direct transfer of Alitalia's debt being made to the state when the two companies are set up: Az fly and Az Services. This transfer of EUR 800 million would constitue indirect aid, in additional to the bridging loan of EUR 400 million approved this summer by the Commission. According to the eight signatories, the privatisation risks being done artificially even if the state's share is reduced from 62% to 49% as promised by the Italian government.
For the time being the European Commission is keen to confirm that it has received the plan and it will examine it. It has two months to decide whether it will authorise the plan, request further information or call for a probe. This 18 month investigation would allow Alitalia rivals to air their grievances. Community sources indicated that "the letter from the eight is mainly based on rumours and date from 6 October before the Alitalia plan was officially notified". The same source pointed out that in practice the letter was based both on correct arguments, mistakes and bad faith.