Alitalia and Etihad Airways confirmed that they have received merger clearance from the European Commission under EU Regulation No. 139/2004.
They can therefore proceed with the proposed strategic partnership announced in August.
Following the completion of its review, the European Commission confirmed that the partnership complies with the European regulations on competition. In line with previous cases, the airlines undertook commitments aimed at facilitating the entry of new airlines on the Rome to Belgrade route. The parties continue to work together with a view to completing the transaction before the end of the year.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, James Hogan, said: “We are delighted to be able to move forward with this process and look forward to a positive outcome and the final conclusion of our transaction with Alitalia. An equity investment in Alitalia will be beneficial not only for the both airlines, but, more importantly, it will give more choice and broader travel opportunities to business and leisure travellers into and out of Italy.”
Gabriele del Torchio, Chief Executive Officer of Alitalia, said: “This is an excellent outcome for Alitalia. This investment will provide financial stability and a foundation for impressive long-term growth for the Company and for the travel and tourism industry in Italy, in which Alitalia is a fundamental player.
“Today’s decision by the EU approves the largest ever foreign investment in Alitalia and demonstrates huge confidence in the future of the national carrier.”
Alitalia – Compagnia Aerea Italiana is a fully private company that started its operations on 13 January 2009. The Company’s 2014-2015 winter schedule offers 83 destinations, of which 26 in Italy and 57 for the rest of the world, 123 routes and 3,650 weekly flights. The Company carried 23.99 million passengers in 2013. Alitalia is a member of the SkyTeam global alliance and, since 2010, forms part with Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines of the main air transport Transatlantic Joint Venture. Today, the fleet of Alitalia is one of the youngest in the world with an average age of only 7 years and is one of the most efficient thanks to a reduction in the number of aircraft types and low environmental impact. Alitalia and Etihad Airways have jointly been named as Official Global Airline Carriers for Expo 2015. In 2013, for the fourth year in a row, Alitalia has been recognized by the American magazine Global Traveler with the award “Best Airline Cuisine” for the quality of its innovative on board dining program in Magnifica Business Class. In the same year the Company has also been awarded as with the prize Best In-Flight Wine Program at the SAVEUR Culinary Travel Awards.
For more information www.alitalia.com
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 105 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising equity investments in Alitalia and Swiss-based Etihad Regional, operated by Darwin Airline.
Etihad Airways operates a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Cyprus. It is configured to carry 136 passengers, with 16 seats in business class and 120 in economy class. Flight EY093 flies every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It departs from Abu Dhabi at 09:15 and arrives in Larnaca at 12:00. The return flight, EY094, departs from Larnaca at 13:50 and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 19:30 local time.
For more information visit www.etihad.com
