The European Commission on
Friday green-lit a merger between United Arab Emirates carrier
Etihad and troubled Italian airline Alitalia. The merger is
authorized as long as the companies agree to free up some slots
in favor of new operators on the Rome-Belgrade route, sources
said.
Etihad earlier this year invested 560 million euros for a
49% stake in Alitalia, which earlier this month gave the nod to
former Ferrari chief Luca Cordero de Montezemolo to be its next
president, with Etihad CEO James Hogan as vice president.
"The European Commission has OK'd Italy's Alitalia
operation," said Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi.
"We said more than once that Italy had respected EU norms
and parameters (on competition) to the letter," he added.
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