Since yesterday, discussions on the ITA-Lufthansa agreement seem to have reached a critical point. Giancarlo Giorgetti, Italian Minister of Economy and Finance, is carefully monitoring the details of the negotiations that are about to break down after almost two years of intense negotiations between the ministry and the German giant. According to sources close to the dossier, the agreement has stalled due to disagreements on the second tranche of the payment, amounting to 325 million euros, that the Italian ministry should receive. The main obstacle would be represented by Lufthansa's need to reduce the agreed amount, invoking unfavorable market conditions in the last quarter. Which will have a negative impact on air transport, not only for ITA but for the entire sector, the Mef believes on the other hand.

Government sources consulted by "Adnkronos" reveal that these claims were not foreseen in the original agreement reached between ITA and Lufthansa, and point out that the losses calculated by the Germans could be considerably higher, ranging between 50 and 200 million Euros. If the time reference were moved to June, a typically more profitable period, the amounts owed by the German body to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) would be significantly higher.

Several sources say that although ITA was going through a difficult period during the initial stages of the negotiations, the company's financial situation has improved now. However, the agreement included the freezing of clauses in the three agreed tranches, the first of which has already been paid to ITA Airways.

Trust between the two parties seems to be significantly compromised. According to Giorgetti, this stalemate should not have occurred, a sign of a crisis of confidence that damages relations more than any other element. Despite the tensions, the ministry enjoys the full support of Palazzo Chigi, which has expressed total confidence in its work in dealing with this thorny issue.

On the subject see also AVIONEWS 1, 2, 3 and 4.