mercure1 wrote:ContinentalEWR wrote:If ITA were to leave SkyTeam I don't think it weakens AF/KL or Delta, frankly.
Just as Italy is LH 2nd largest foreign market, losing ITA to LH Group would weaken AFKL. Italy certainly provides significant flow between the countries and into AFKL hubs which may now flow onto LH Group.
Many people might not realize but Italy is the 3rd largest economy in EU and top-5 tourism market globally. It certainly beneficial to have a local partner to better capture and deliver to this large market.
Maybe. AF and KL have had AZ at their disposal if they wanted it, since the late 1990s and more than once, each passed on the opportunity, largely owing to AZ's structural problems, labor issues, high costs, and its lack of profitability. When AF and KL began cooperating, before they merged, KL was pretty clear it did not want AZ. Obviously, that was 20+ years ago. To date, only LH has been earnest in its pursuit of AZ or its successor. No one else. DL looked at investing in AZ, and quickly passed. That tells me the market isn't all that valuable or they'd fight for it. Yes, Italy is a huge economy and a major tourist market, but it does not necessarily translate into lucrative business demand sustained year round. The business traffic to Italy goes via MXP (and LIN) not FCO. So, the connection opportunities don't really translate to huge revenue potential. If that were the case, you'd also have IAG looking at ITA. It's not.
