It is unclear why the Lufthansa-ITA agreement is taking so long. The European Commission is pushing for the carriers to relinquish some slots on North America. Why?They are very profitable routes, so why should Lufthansa and ITA Airways give them up?
The key question is who would benefit from the two carriers surrendering their coveted slots? And what pressure has the European Commission come under to point in this direction? In short, it is a complex issue, but we see no reason for a nascent European carrier to sacrifice interests that are currently obscure. It would be good to have a clearer understanding of the forces at play, especially as they impact millions of citizens. And, above all, to resist lobbying pressures that appear disconnected from the genuine interests of travellers.
Giuseppe Aloe
Editor in Chief
