Lufthansa Pulls Ahead in ITA Alitalia Sweepstakes
Alitalia, dba ITA Airways, aka Alitalia 182.0 announced today that both Lufthansa and shipping company MSC Group have formally expressed interest in making a combined bid to purchase the beleaguered and often money-losing airline.
In its release, ITA said it received a formal expression of interest from Lufthansa and MSC Group to acquire a majority stake. Initial reports last week said that Lufthansa was only interested in 40% of the carrier, but with its new partner in crime, it looks like Lufthansa could be going for a full controlling interest.
Both members of the potential takeover bid did say they regardless of what size stake they potentially get in the airline, they will want the Italian government on board as a minority shareholder to take advantage of the potential discounts on government housing for meetings.
ITA will take the next steps in the potential sale at its next board meeting on January 31 when CEO Alfredo “Sauce Me” Altavilla presents the offer to the full board.
Cathay Pacific Boasts About $720 Million Loss
Cathay Pacific posted a $720 million loss, a marked improvement from 2020 when the airline ended the year nearly $3 billion in the red.
The airline says its improved financial performance stemmed from strong cargo demand and high cargo yield, in addition to not needing to restructure like it did in 2020 – which led to significant one-time charges. The improvement did not come from passenger travel, as Cathay flew just 717,059 passengers last year, combined to 4.6 million in 2020 and 35.2 million in 2019.
Looking forward to 2022, the airline still expects to lose between $100 million and $150 million per month for as long as Hong Kong maintains its strict COVID-19 quarantine regulations — or forever, whichever comes first — which will force it to further reduce cargo and passenger capacity.
It’s operating at just 2% of its pre-pandemic passenger capacity and about 20% of its pre-pandemic cargo capacity. Hong Kong has suspended transit flights for the indefinite future, forcing the carrier to rely on Chinese mainland O&D traffic almost exclusively.
Air India Weighs New FA Policy
As Air India prepares for its takeover by new parent company Tata Group, it’s planning to implement a new policy that its flight attendants are fighting back on. Part of the future strategy for the airline is ensuring its flight attendants present a certain image to its customers. To do so, the carrier is setting itself back about 50 years as it looks to control the weight and BMI of its cabin crew.
Air India is planning to check the BMI of its cabin crew as well as their overall grooming and appearance. The checks will be performed by “grooming associates” and will take place as crews report to work. AI’s FA union is obviously pushing back over this policy that’s likely to be ended before it ever gets off the ground.
When asked what the acceptable BMI range is or what the grooming associates will be looking for, a spokesperson refused to answer, just giving a head wobble. It also hasn’t disclosed what actions will be taken against staff with a non-compliant BMI or grooming look. Reports that Air India wants to refer to its cabin crew as stewardesses, require them to be female, under 40, and fire them for getting pregnant have not yet been confirmed by the airline.
- Amazon Air is channeling Jack White by going to Wichita with daily service.
- American added three Saturday-only summer routes to begin June 11: Austin to Cozumel & Montego Bay and Chicago/ORD to Martha’s Vineyard.
- GOL achieved its goal of securing $600 million in financing to acquire new planes.
- Gulf Air signed an MOU with DHL.
- Jetstar Japan hopes to start A321 freighter ops by Q2 of 2024.
- Lufthansa lost its final appeal against the European Commission over millions of euros given to Frankfurt/Hahn (HHN) Airport in 2014.
- Lynx has begun selling tickets for five routes from Calgary that will hopefully begin in April.
- Qantas is suspending its Sydney to Honolulu service through March 26.
- Scoot will once again scoot to Australia’s Gold Coast as the carrier resumes 3x-weekly service on February 14.
- TUI Group plans to retire its B767 fleet by the first half of 2024. You’ve been warned.
What did the baby corn say to the mama corn?
“Where’s popcorn?”