Alitalia to merge with Wind Jet and Blue Panorama Airlines

Alitalia has tentatively agreed to merge with Wind Jet and Blue Panorama Airlines. According to AGI reports, Alitalia has signed a MoU with both Italian carriers to this effect. Wind Jet is a LCC operating short haul European services and Blue Panorama operates charter and scheduled services from its Rome and Milan bases. According to Innovata data, Wind Jet and Blue Panorama hold 10.6% and 2.9% of Italy’s domestic capacity, respectively.

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  However, the collapses, which follow more than 30 European airline failures over the 2008/09 economic crisis, could in the coming months foreshadow the demise of further carriers or further consolidation, with a number of financially weak carriers operating in the European market. While all but one of the airlines affected so far in 2012 have been based in Continental Europe, there are several weak carriers in Eastern Europe urgently seeking further funding and/or new investors in the near term. Three of the collapsed carriers have been privately owned, but last week's collapse of Spanair shows governments may be willing to let state-supported carriers dither away.

• Acquisition of Blue Panorama and Wind Jet ensures Alitalia will keep ahead of Ryanair in Italy
  01-Feb-2012

  Alitalia is poised to bolster its position in its home market through the planned acquisition of smaller Italian carriers Wind Jet and Blue Panorama. If the recently announced deals are completed, Alitalia stands to increase its total market share to about 27%, cementing its position as Italy’s leading passenger carrier.

  The acquisitions will also result in increased low-cost competition in Italy as Alitalia expands its presence in the budget sector through the new subsidiary companies.

  Alitalia stated there are potential synergies with Blue Panorama and Wind Jet, with the airlines having complementary networks, markets and products. Alitalia will be submitting its plan to Italy’s Antitrust Authority for approval prior to the acquisitions being presented to the governing bodies of the three airlines.