New Italian airline to take off on October 15 – MENAFN.COM

  • Date: 19-Jul-2021
  • Source: MENAFN
  • Sector:Tourism
  • Country:Jordan
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New Italian airline to take off on October 15 – MENAFN.COM

Italy struck a deal with the European Commission over the bailout of its national airline, Alitalia, the economy ministry said on Thursday (AFP file photo) (MENAFN - Jordan Times) MILAN "” Tough talks between Italy and the European Commission on a plan to replace struggling Alitalia have laid the groundwork for a new, streamlined flag carrier, the economy ministry said on Thursday. Italia Trasporto Aereo (ITA) "will be fully operational" as of October 15, after Rome reached a "constructive and balanced solution" with Brussels, it said in a statement. The new airline had initially been expected to launch in August, during the peak tourism season, but talks with the Commission dragged on even after a preliminary deal was reached in May. The Commission, charged with policing state aid in the EU, is examining 1. 3 billion euros ($1. 5 billion) in state funds provided to Alitalia in 2017 and 2019. On Thursday, the Commission said only that it had taken note of the Italian announcement and reiterated that it had "reached a common understanding on the key parameters to ensure economic discontinuity between ITA and Alitalia. "The Commission remains in close contact with the Italian authorities to ensure that the