Further development of Alitalia’s long-haul network was signalled by the airline’s board last month as part of the second phase of the company’s business plan following approval of further short-term funding. Alitalia said the cash injection would allow the management team to begin negotiations this month and next with key stakeholders including unions to seek their backing for cost-reduction measures.
The company said this would be aimed at “securing long-term support from the shareholders and the financial institutions with the aim to secure sustainability for the airline. CEO Cramer Ball said: “The next two months are critical.”
Along with work on the long-haul network, the business plan includes reworking the narrow-body business; reducing costs and improving productivity to match competitors; re-evaluating joint venture agreements, and deepening existing airline partnerships and looking to add new commercial relationships.
Alitalia has already announced changes to its European operations from 1 February including cancelling flights between Fiumcino and Bucharest and between Fiumcino and Valencia, and reducing the Rome – Marseille service from 10 a week to four and Rome – Moscow flights from two a day to one.
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