"Parliamentary questions

22 April 2021

Question for written answer E-002186/2021 to the Commission Rule 138

Massimiliano Smeriglio (S&D) 

Subject: New Alitalia industrial plan

Flagship carrier Alitalia currently employs 11 000 workers – and more than 40 000 if one considers its ancillary services.

The business plan presented in December for the new airline ITA intends to cut 7000 jobs, halve the air fleet and give up strategic international hubs.

It has been reported in the press that the Commission, in an exchange with the new company with regard to the new business plan, has laid down specific conditions: an open, non-discriminatory, transparent and unconditional call for tender; the surrender of important services such as ground handling and maintenance.

The new plan is raising serious concerns among workers and local authorities.

In view of this:

1 Can the Commission confirm the proposals put forward and clarify what the underlying reasons are?

2 Can it clarify why the Alitalia company is being paid less compensation than the actual losses it incurred in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, even when the annual liabilities that year were equal to the average loss recorded over the last three years?

3 Can it not take into consideration the relaunch project submitted by the local authority, which is based on the acquisition of Alitalia's assets by the state, by way of compensation, followed by three possible avenues for the restructuring process for the new company: public management, sale as a single unit through a call for tender, or merger with a large group?

This question is supported by Members other than the author: Brando Benifei (S&D), Fabio Massimo Castaldo (NI)

Last updated: 6 May 2021".