One recent development with Alitalia is that they are failing more and more (no, that’s not the new) and now governments are getting involved to provide aid (no, that’s not it either) to stabilize the airline for restructuring (nope, not that) and possible acquisition by Air France /KLM (no, that’s old too) is that International Airlines Group objects.

There it is.  IAG led by Willie Walsh doesn’t want that aid going to Alitalia.

And I agree. Alitalia is comically bad in so many ways  and has been comically bad at regaining a foothold in the European market since it’s “takeover” by Air One forced by the Italian government.

Quick question:  Did you know the “old” Alitalia was liquidated?

IAG is right.  The aid is illegal and, more importantly, it distorts the marketplace in Europe.  Alitalia has been unable to succeed legitimately under any guise for more than 20 years.  It’s time to let go and allow the markets to provide an airline to Italy.

I suggest Ryanair be chosen to take Alitalia’s place in Italy.  Afterall, that kind of failure deserves some kind of punishment.

I haven’t done this in a long, long time but Alitalia goes on my Death Watch starting now.  Although this airline has a habit of rising up from the dead, shaking its hands and saying “I’m baaaack!”

Filed under: Airline News, Death Watch by ajax