easyJet Eyes Expansion at Milan Linate

easyJet has expressed strong interest in acquiring slots at Milan Linate Airport, potentially becoming available as part of the European Commission’s conditions for approving Lufthansa’s bid to acquire a 41% stake in ITA Airways. Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, highlighted the airline’s ambition to bolster its presence at the strategically important Milanese hub, aligning with its growth strategy in Italy.

Currently, easyJet Europe holds a 7.12% share of the weekly seating capacity at Milan Linate, ranking as the airport’s third-largest operator. ITA Airways leads with a dominant 52.29% capacity share, followed by newcomer AeroItalia. Lundgren underscored the logical fit for easyJet to assume ITA Airways’ slots, emphasizing ongoing discussions with the European Commission to explore this possibility. Furthermore, reports suggest Lufthansa is engaging with easyJet regarding potential remedies to address competition concerns.

Lufthansa remains optimistic about securing all necessary approvals to finalize its investment in ITA Airways by year-end, despite anticipating a formal statement of objections from the European Commission. The in-depth investigation, initiated in January, scrutinizes the proposed acquisition’s impact on competition across key routes, especially concerning operations at Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino airports, as well as Munich and Frankfurt International.

The German airline group has cautioned that overly burdensome demands from the European Commission might lead it to reconsider the merger agreement, highlighting the delicate balance between compliance and strategic corporate objectives.

This development represents a significant opportunity for easyJet to expand its operational footprint at Milan Linate, potentially enhancing its route offerings and competitive position in the Italian market. The outcome of these negotiations and regulatory reviews will be closely watched, as they hold implications for airline competition and market dynamics within Europe’s aviation sector.