Alitalia administrator selling off 46 aircraft

The bankruptcy administrator for Italian flag-carrier Alitalia has officially put 46 of the airline’s planes up for sale, and has asked for formal expressions of interest by the end of January.

Aircraft from both Alitalia and regional airline Alitalia Express are included in the tender, and comprise those not transferred to Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI) on its purchase of other Alitalia assets.

The 46 planes will be offered in eight lots. Five of the lost will comprise aircraft from the main carrier. One of the lots will consist of two Boeing 767-300ERs; three separate lots will consist of seven Boeing MD-80s; and one other lot will consist of a single MD-80.

Regional aircraft will be offered in the three remaining lots. Two lots will each consist of four ATR 72 turboprops, one featuring -200s and one featuring -500s. The third will consist of 14 Embraer ERJ-145s.

Potential purchasers must submit written expressions of interest by 29 January. Although the aircraft are grouped into lots, bids on individual planes will also be considered.

The Alitalia administrator, Augusto Fantozzi, noted than purchasers of the aircraft will be required to replace the Alitalia livery with their own immediately after a sales agreement is executed, and before any plane would be allowed to leave Italy.

www.alitalia.com