The EU executive's decision comes after the Italian government helped to put in place a consortium that is only bidding for the prime assets of Alitalia. The CAI consortium, led by Piaggio chief Roberto Colaninno, was only interested in Alitalia on the condition that it did not have to pay back state aid loans.
During the state aid investigation it began last June, the Commission found that the sale of Alitalia's assets did not consitute state aid if the sales took place on market terms. To that effect, a monitoring trustee was appointed. Any state aid given to the troubled airline that is judged unlawful by Brussels will have to be repaid by Rome.
Commission Vice President responsible for transport Antonio Tajani said he was confident the decision would clarify Alitalia's situation, which in August was placed under the special administration of Augusto Fantozzi, who is overseeing the bankrupty process.
"The process will lead to the emergence of a private airline, smaller in size but more efficient," said Commissioner Tajani. "I have seen that airlines can recover and flourish but also compete successfully in the interests of passengers and of the aviation industry, which is essential for competition in Europe."
The monitoring trustee will be appointed within a few days and will be required to compile an exhaustive report within two weeks of the appointment. Tajani noted that if the Commission was dissatisfied with any aspect of the procedure, it would reopen the case.
The rescue plan, similar to that which wound up Sabena and more recently Olympic, is expected to see the Italian airline relaunched by the end of the year.
