easyJet Could Take Lufthansa & ITA Airways Slots In Rome And Milan Airports

Italian daily newspaper Corriere has today reported that easyJet is expected to emerge as the winner in the competition to take over slots at both Rome and Milan Linate Airport from ITA Airways and

Lufthansa

. This comes after the European Commission approved Lufthansa’s takeover of the Italian national airline at the start of this month.

European sacrifices

The two carriers agreed to concede several slots at Milan Linate (LIN) as part of the deal. In addition, they also settled to help one or multiple competitors enter the market to operate on service to Central Europe, where the merged Lufthansa Group will maintain a substantial monopoly. At the time of the agreement, the European Commission said the following in a statement:

“Lufthansa and the MEF will make available to one or two rival airlines the necessary assets to enable them to start non-stop flights between Rome or Milan and certain airports in Central Europe.”

Related

What Does Lufthansa’s Acquisition Mean For ITA Airways’ Long-Haul Flights?

A focus on North America, Latin America, and Africa is expected to dominate the carrier’s long-haul strategy.

The two carriers will relinquish 15 slot pairs in Milan. As for Rome, while slot constraints are less of an issue, ITA and Lufthansa will still have to cede a certain number of pairs for approximately three years on flights to Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium, where the group’s airlines largely dominate. Corriere reports that for the rival airline selected, there would ultimately be space for three aircraft in Rome.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

easyJet taking full advantage

The advantages of entering the market for a rival airline are therefore evident. easyJet has been one of the carriers that pounced on the opportunity, with sources telling Corriere that they are expected to emerge as the preferred bidder. When asked by Simple Flying, an easyJet spokesperson said:

“We can confirm we continue to be part of the process and are ready to take advantage of opportunities, provided they are aligned with our growth strategy. We remain fully committed to the Italian market where we have been operating for over 25 years and want to offer Italian customers more choice at the main Italian airports with affordable and competitive fares.”

The airline declined to comment any further.

Photo: SimoneAmi | Shutterstock

Other bidders for the slots include Volotea, although they are unlikely to be selected due to a lack of available aircraft. This is due to an existing plan to base nearly half of its airplanes at Madrid Airport as part of an agreement with avianca and GOL.

The deal, signed at the end of June, is entirely linked to the takeover of Air Europa by the International Airlines Group (IAG). Volotea wants to act as a “remedy taker,” providing short-haul connections to avianca and GOL’s flights to Latin America to provide competition against IAG. Given this, the European Commission believes Volotea is not the most “solid” option.

Wet leasing ITA and Lufthansa planes

As mentioned, one condition of the ITA-Lufthansa deal was the obligation to provide rivals with the “necessary assets” to enter markets on which the two airlines would otherwise have a monopoly. Sources tell Corriere that while easyJet initially said it had sufficient available aircraft, pilots, and cabin crew, it later backtracked and noted that it was looking at other solutions. This includes wet leasing ITA or Lufthansa aircraft and crew, an agreement that would last one year.

It is also worth noting that easyJet already operates a base at Milan’s Malpensa Airport (MXP). Linate is the more sought-after airport, given its proximity to the city.