NEWS FLASH
Adria Airways has filed a complaint against Alitalia with the European Commission over what it sees as illegal state aid provided by the Italian government to its national carrier, following Etihad Airways' exit as a minority shareholder. Brussels is investigating whether 900 million euros in bridging loans to Alitalia from the government were illegal under the bloc’s state aid rules. The Italian airline filed for bankruptcy on May 2, 2017 and was provided with two loans from the national government - 600 million in May and a further 300 million in October. It has emerged that Adria filed the complaint last June, arguing, "The loan constitutes state aid since, in view of Alitalia's finances and the company's history, no market lender would have been willing to provide such a loan. The loan has undoubtedly provided an advantage to Alitalia, by covering losses accumulated in 2016 in order to maintain operations, which has a significant impact on trade between Member States and distorts competition". Adria has been joined by several other carriers who filed complaints including Ryanair and International Airlines Group (IAG).
Adria Airways itself was subject to an investigation by the European Commission several years ago over illegal state aid in a complaint filed by Ryanair. Ultimately the airline was cleared of wrongdoing.
Such utter hypocrisy. Adria also received illegal state aid and was only saved because of political gymnastics in Brussels - same as airBaltic. Both of these airlines should have ended like Malev and Cyprus Airways.
ReplyDeleteI nevertheless support this- if Adria got away with this, does it mean that everybody should?
DeleteAnd why should JP get away with it?
DeleteThe worst airline in the history of aviation is sponsored by its govermnent since the day one. Weather this is right or wrong I don't judge, but I think Italians have righths to protect what is italian in Italy. Beside I'm sure also Lufti would not be able to do its blitzkrieg without help of politics spinning, intentionally kneeing of its competition etc...
ReplyDeleteSuch a mismanaged and troubled company for decades. Plus they have FCO bottleneck causing numerous problems and generating costs for the company due to lost connections and numerous compensations.
DeleteIt is a pity that they merged AIRONE with Alitalia.... the service you can not compare....
DeleteProbably JP is doing dirty job for lufty...
ReplyDeleteJU would never have the guts for this.
ReplyDeleteJU and JP are in completely different position economically and politically.
DeletePlus JU benefits quite a bit from subsidies given to AZ. otherwise it would not be able to sustain Rome flights with daily frequencies.
Why don't you say OU would never have the guts for this? Why JU? I don't understand why is there so much hate on this site towards JU. The only way I can explain this is jealousy.
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