ROME (Reuters) – Lufthansa will think about elevating its stake in Italy’s ITA Airways to 90%, ranging from early subsequent yr, the CEO of the German airline stated in an interview printed on Thursday.
Carsten Spohr was talking after his firm gained EU antitrust approval to purchase 41% of state-owned ITA for 325 million euros ($350 million).
“For us, the choice for the 90% begins in early 2025,” Spohr instructed Italy’s Corriere della Sera, including that he would love the Italian authorities to retain a stake in ITA.
When Lufthansa agreed its 41% take care of Rome’s authorities final yr, it stated it was trying to purchase full management of ITA “at a later date”.
In a separate interview with Il Sole 24 Ore day by day, ITA Chairman Antonino Turicchi stated the closing of the deal for Lufthansa’s preliminary funding would happen in November, including that Lufthansa would have the potential of elevating its stake to 90% “one yr after the closing”.
Italian Economic system Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti stated on Wednesday that his authorities wished to take care of some oversight on ITA to guard nationwide pursuits.
In Thursday’s Corriere della Sera, Spohr stated he want to retain “the help” of the Italian authorities for the primary two years of Lufthansa’s involvement in ITA. “Then we’ll talk about collectively what to do,” he added.
Spohr declined to say who will probably be appointed as ITA’s new CEO after Italian press stories steered that Joerg Eberhart, Lufthansa’s head of technique and former boss of Air Dolomiti, would get the job.
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