25 November 2008

Arriverdechi Roma: Emirates eyes Italy hub

DUBAI - Emirates airline has chosen Italy as its European hub and has asked for more than 50 weekly landing slots in Milan, Rome and Venice, the Italian government said yesterday.

"Emirates ... has chosen Italy as a hub to access Europe," said Italian UnderSecretary for Economic Development Adolfo Urso in a statement.

"Thanks to this agreement, Italy will more easily become a tourist destination for the newly rich from the Gulf and from southeast Asia."

Emirates, which currently has less than 10 landing slots per week in Italy, has asked for 21 slots in Rome, 21 in Milan and 14 in Venice, the statement said.

AFP reported that the deal also covers Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways, which is in line for seven landing slots in Rome and the same number in Milan.

Emiratesââ¬â¢ move to boost its European operations through Italy comes as near-bankrupt national carrier Alitalia is being sold off sold to a group of investors.

Augusto Fantozzi, Alitalia's bankruptcy commissioner, said the airline currently owes 3.2 billion euros (US$4bn).

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