The Italian flag carrier ITA Airways loses money from part of the airport slots it owns at the "Enrico Forlanini" airport of Milan-Linate. The total virtual value of these hourly windows is over 500 million euros. Yet the airline does not want to sell them and therefore finds itself using them as much as possible, even though they are not profitable.

It is what the Italian newspaper "il Corriere della Sera" reveals, which cites as sources some experts who have direct knowledge of the company's accounts. At Milan-Linate ITA has 175 airport slots in which it operates up to 88 flight connections every day, while others are used for the overnight parking of 20 aircraft in the fleet. Considering that international standards require the use of at least 80% of each hourly window, in order not to lose the right of use, ITA occupies them even if they are not profitable, so as not to give them up.

However, the technical offices of the European Competition Commission, led by Margrethe Vestager, will now ask ITA to cede part of the slots in exchange for the green light for the privatization of the national airline. Also because Lufthansa and ITA together own approximately 60% of the flight rights in Linate. Although a third of ITA's slots are unprofitable, the Italian company would like to keep them, although this choice hinders the marriage with Lufthansa. We are now at a paradox.

On the topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.