Air France promises not to cut down Alitalia

Air France-KLM, the perceived front-runner in the bid to purchase

Alitalia, Italy’s beleaguered national airline, has confirmed that it has no plans to cut down on the carrier’s fleet, cancel routes, or in any other way decrease the company’s current operations. On the contrary, the Franco-Dutch group made it clear in a news release sent out today that it has every intention of building the airline further, which suggests the possibility of more routes and a potentially larger fleet. Some Italian officials and politicians in general have expressed concern over whether Air France-KLM would aim to wind down some of Alitalia’s operations and cut down on the number of routes, if it emerges as the successful bidder for the airline.

Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Air France’s CEO, was in Milan when he confirmed his plan aimed at the “development and growth” of

Italy’s flag carrier. Spinetta also said that Air France did not want to transform Alitalia into a small, regional carrier—something that has become all too familiar as the European commercial airline industry consolidates and smaller and medium size carriers are swooped up by a small handful of giants.

There is currently some lively debate in

Italy concerning the future of Alitalia and which company should be invited to purchase it. There are several bidders, although Air France-KLM appears to be the most serious of them all. Other major contenders include Air One, an Italian carrier, as well as a consortium of investors based in

Italy. Italian officials have hinted that a decision will likely be reached before the end of the year.

www.airfrance.com