The Italian Aerospace Information Web
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Volare Airlines On Sale

Volare Airlines, an Italian low-cost carrier, was put on sale recently. After its financial collapse in 2004, the airline re-started its activity, under the Volareweb.com banner, on June 1, 2005. Five potential buyers, almost all Italian airlines, made substantial offers: Alitalia (35 million Euro), Radici private group (33 million Euro), AirOne, a Lufthansa partner (30 million Euro), Meridiana in association with Eurofly (23 million Euro) and Wind Jet of Sicily, with an offer of 20 million Euro.

The offers are all fairly conspicuous, due to the fact that Volare holds lucrative domestic and international slots at Milan/Linate airport. All the aircraft used by Volare Airlines, in fact, are under lease. A government-led commision will evaluate the various offers and a decision is expected by the beginning of 2006. It is clear that the prospective buyers intend to set up different business plans after the take-over of Volare Airlines.

Meridiana, AirOne and Wind Jet see the possibility of strenghtening their current low-fare service structure. On the other hand, the very high offer made by Alitalia is driven by the necessity to defend a significant position at the Milan/Linate airport, and as an extreme attempt to enter the low-cost market with an off-the-shelf and competitive player in their stable.

In the picture: Airbus A 320-232 SX-BVA “Pegasus” operated by Hellas Jet on behalf of Volare Airlines. Linate 2005. (Aeromedia)

(Aeromedia, October 2005)