The European Commission to Rome: the control of Alitalia shall remain within the EU

EU rules on transports establish that EU Member States of companies shall own the majority of European airlines

Alitalia has to remain under the control of a EU Member State or company. That is what the European Commission reminded Italy in a letter sent to the Italian government last February – the news spread today in Brussels.

The European Commission is following closely the evolution of the negotiations between Alitalia and Ethiad, in view of the possible capital contribution of the company from the United Arab Emirates into the Italian company – and that’s because the EU anti-trust norms establish that the effective control on companies shall remain in the hands of European governments or societies. It is not all about Alitalia, yet: Brussels is examining the participations of several extra-European groups in European airlines. Namely, Ethiad participation in Air Berlin, Delta Air Lines share in Virgin Atlantic, HNCA participation in the Luxembourgish Cargolux, Korean Air share in Czech Airlines.

“The Commission has asked Member States where the companies are registered, details about the compliance of these investments with European laws in force on Ownership and Control of Airlines,” explained a source from the Commission, reminding that EU laws establish that over 50 percent of the share of each European airline shall be owned by EU Member States or societies, which have to demonstrate the real control they have on the company.”