Deutsche Lufthansa AG CEO Carsten Spohr said Rome could become the group’s fifth hub with the acquisition of the new Italian carrier ITA Airways, according to Bloomberg.
“Italy is a strong market,” Spohr said in an interview with Corriere della Sera published on Sunday. “Rome could play a very important role within Lufthansa, integrating our system with a southern hub for the group.”
Spohr reaffirms commitment to work with shipping giant Mediterranean Shipping Co. owned by Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte, to take over ITA, the state successor to the bankrupt Alitalia SpA. Formal negotiations have not yet begun, as the two companies submitted an expression of interest in January.
MSC is the “perfect partner” for ITA, Spohr said, adding that it is too early to say whether Lufthansa will invest directly in the Italian airline from the beginning or only at a later stage after an acquisition by MSC.
“We are waiting for the opening of the ITA dataroom to evaluate all the options,” said the CEO.
Indigo Partners LLC, a leading shareholder in the low-cost carrier Wizz Air Holdings Plc, and Certares Management LLC have also expressed interest in ITA, according to Corriere.
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
