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EasyJet Renews Interest in Alitalia

EasyJet Renews Interest in Alitalia

(Bloomberg) -- EasyJet Plc has revived its proposal to take over bankrupt airline Alitalia, as Italy’s new government closes in on a deal to re-nationalize the airline.

  • The U.K.-based discount carrier has shown interest in Alitalia for at least a year. It’s been in talks over short-haul operations with the populist Italian government that took over in spring, which plans to put the Italian airline in the hands of state-owned railway company Ferrovie dello Stato.

Key Insights

  • In the government plan, Ferrovie dello Stato would be joined by outside partners. No foreign carrier could own more than 40 percent. EasyJet says its submission is consistent with its expansion strategy in Italy.
  • Alitalia went into administration last year after losing customers to rival airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet, as well as the country’s own high speed trains.

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To contact the reporter on this story: Ellen Milligan in London at emilligan11@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net, Frank Connelly

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