The Italian government has chosen the Certares/Air France-KLM/Delta Air Lines consortium for exclusive negotiations in the privatization process of ITA Airways!

Air France-KLM welcomes the announcement by the Italian government of granting exclusivity to the consortium formed by Certares – Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines for the next phase of negotiations to take over a stake held directly by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Italian Government in the company ITA Airways.

Should this operation be completed, Air France-KLM will become the commercial and operational partner of the Italian airline as part of the consortium led by Certares. At this stage, Air France-KLM does not invest in the capital structure of ITA Airways. However, Air France-KLM Group may consider buying a minority stake in ITA in the medium term.

Together with its partner Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM looks forward to fostering closer ties with ITA and building on the existing commercial partnership that the airlines have formed, notably through the implementation of codeshare agreements and the entry ITA Airways in the SkyTeam alliance, of which Air France-KLM and Delta are founding members.

Air France-KLM wishes to thank the Italian government for its consideration throughout the bidding process, during which Certares, Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines particularly emphasized the strong commercial opportunities this transaction would bring to ITA Airways subject to obtaining all relevant approvals.