(ANSA) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 10 - The European Commission has concluded that the two state loans for a total amount of 900 million euros granted by Italy to Alitalia in 2017 are illegal under the EU rules on state aid.
Italy must therefore recover the aid from Alitalia plus interest. This was announced by the European Commission itself. On the other hand, the EU investigation remains open to assess the compliance with EU regulations of the additional 400 million bridging loan granted to the company in 2019.
Furthermore, the European Commission has concluded that ItaliaTrasporto Aereo is not the economic successor of Alitalia and therefore it is not responsible for the reimbursement of illegal state aid received by Alitalia. This was reported by the EU executive itself, specifying that the capital injections of € 1.35 billion in favor of the newco comply with market conditions and therefore do not qualify as state aid under EU regulations.
"Italy has shown that there is a clear discontinuity between Alitalia and the new airline Ita", said EU Vice President Margrethe Vestager.
Meanwhile, in Rome, the workers' demonstration is underway in Piazza San Silvestro, not far from Palazzo Chigi. Square with slogans, banners, trade union flags and chants against Prime Minister Mario Draghi and the leaders of Ita. Hundreds protest against the plan of the newco, which provides for the hiring of only 2,800 people, against the 10,500 workers of the old company. (HANDLE).
