The German aviation group Lufthansa could soon formalize an official proposal for the purchase of the majority stake in the capital of the national air carrier ITA Airways. According to some rumors this could happen within two weeks, the date by which the Italian government would like to close the negotiations for the privatization of the company, thus avoiding spending 250 million euros for the capital increase in March. 

"Italy is one of the most important markets for us, it is economically strong and an attractive tourist destination" and "this step would not only open new perspectives in the aviation sector for Lufthansa, but also for ITA Airways and for Italy", stated the managing director Carsten Spohr, in an interview with the weekly "Die Zeit", confirming the interest in the Italian airline.

Before Lufthansa decides, there are reservations to be resolved: among these are industrial relations and working conditions. This last issue was at the center of yesterday's meeting between the managing director Fabio Lazzerini and the Filt, Fit, Uilt and Uglta unions who rejected the 3-4% increase in wages because they considered it too low. Any agreement between Lufthansa and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Mef) will then have to be submitted to the European Antitrust, which should take 4-5 months to decide whether or not to give the go-ahead.