After months of negotiations, finally the breakthrough: the new Italia Trasporto Aeroo, or ITA for short, will be operating as of October instead of the previously known airline Alitalia, according to the Italian Minister of Economy.

A long way to go

This announcement came after long negotiations between Italy and the European Commission. The negotiations focused on the role of the new airline and the plan for ITA to exist independently of the ailing Alitalia. Keeping ITA separate from the old airline is important to avoid being held responsible for repaying billions of euros that Alitalia had received in state aid, says Reuters.

 

 

 

 

 

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October 15 is the day. On this day, ITA will be fully operational, the same day that Alitalia will cease operations. According to reports, ITA will start operations with a starting capital of 700 million euros, so that it will be able to buy assets from the old airline and make a profit by the third quarter of 2023. Enrico Giovannini, Italy's transport minister, said the new airline is competitive nationally, as well as internationally, and has the potential to grow. However, it is also clear that it will be a difficult start due to the pandemic and the associated general decline in air traffic.

The inventory of the new airline

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, it will start with 52 aircrafts. In the following year, they want to increase by 26 machines and by the end of 2025, there should be a total of 105 aircrafts. According to Reuters, ITA will also inherit 85 percent of Alitalia's slots at Milan's Linate airport and 43 percent of the slots at Fiumicino in Rome. 

This is what happens to the employees of Alitalia

Between 2750 and 2950 employees are expected to join ITA this year, out of Alitalia's current workforce of 11,000, in its aviation division. In 2025, the number is expected to rise to as many as 5,700, of which 4,000 will be employed in handling and maintenance units. However, the airline's national unions have spoken out against ITA's plan, deeming the new airline's employment commitment unacceptable, reports Reuters.